tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40731456690617417942024-02-19T03:05:54.450-05:00Keystone State Education CoalitionEstablished in 2006, the Keystone State Education Coalition is a growing grass roots, non-partisan public education advocacy group of several hundred locally elected, volunteer school board members and administrators from school districts throughout Pennsylvania. Our mission is to evaluate, discuss and inform our boards, district constituents and legislators on legislative issues of common interest and to facilitate active engagement in public education advocacy.Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.comBlogger2929125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-90803890106826258882021-02-23T12:16:00.001-05:002021-02-23T12:21:41.101-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup February 23, 2021 After 10+ years and 2,928 daily postings, the PA Ed Policy Roundup has come to the end of its run.<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <a name="_Hlk64968068"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Keystone
State Education Coalition</span></b></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Ed Policy Roundup February 23, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After 10+ years and 2,928 daily postings, the PA Ed
Policy Roundup has come to the end of its run.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt;">After 10+ years and 2,928 daily postings, the PA Ed
Policy Roundup has come to the end of its run.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Primarily carried out on a volunteer basis, our goal
has been to promote public discussion among all stakeholders around the myriad
issues connected to public education in Pennsylvania. Our “North Star” has been
to support the mission of public education, creating informed American
citizens.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for enabling me with your enthusiastic
support, encouragement, participation and content contributions over the years.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For over twenty years I have been closely following
the issues and concerns surrounding charter and cyber charter funding and
accountability along with their impact, especially upon students in our most
underfunded school districts. Charters certainly have a place in our education
landscape but there are critical issues, particularly funding, which have been
exacerbated this past year with the impacts of COVID-19.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I have been given the opportunity to focus my time,
energy and advocacy efforts on building statewide support for the development
and enactment of legislation that would provide regulatory and funding changes
to Pennsylvania’s 23-year-old Charter School Law.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This morning, PSBA announced the launch of the </span><a href="http://pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Keystone Center for Charter
Change</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">. I have been appointed to be the director of this new
endeavor.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Here is a link to this morning’s announcement:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/2021/02/23/psba-announces-the-launch-of-the-keystone-center-for-charter-change/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">PSBA Announces
the Launch of the Keystone Center for Charter Change</span></i></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA)
announced today, the launch of the </span></i></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Keystone Center for Charter Change</span></i></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">. PSBA has long advocated on behalf of its
membership—the public school districts of the commonwealth—for change to
Pennsylvania’s flawed and outdated Charter School Law.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">“PSBA is pleased to continue this important work in
support of our public school districts, with this initiative,” stated Nathan
Mains, PSBA chief executive officer. “Additionally, it is my distinct honor to
announce Mr. Lawrence A. Feinberg as the director of the new </span></i></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Keystone Center for Charter Change</span></i></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">,” highlighted Mains. “His background as a board
president and a more than 20-year veteran as school board director for
Haverford Township School District, along with his many other involvements in
public education advocacy will provide the impactful leadership needed for the
initiative. We look forward to continuing the work that PSBA has focused on
over numerous years, with the additional framework and support of the Keystone
Center for Charter Change to see it through,” Mains added.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">More here: </span></i></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/2021/02/23/psba-announces-the-launch-of-the-keystone-center-for-charter-change/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/2021/02/23/psba-announces-the-launch-of-the-keystone-center-for-charter-change/</span></i></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am excited and honored to accept this new role. Much
of what I have been personally committed to and devoted my time to over these
years has led up to the work that will be carried out through the center.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I look forward to raising awareness statewide and
informing the legislative dialogue to bring about substantive change, working
with PSBA staff, the members of the Center’s residency program and advisory
board.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To that end, tomorrow morning, instead of the </span><b style="font-size: 11pt;">PA Ed
Policy Roundup</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> you will see our first daily “</span><b style="font-size: 11pt;">PA Charter Change Roundup</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">”.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">These new daily emails will be archived and searchable
at the center’s dedicated website: </span><a href="http://pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">PACharterChange.org</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Visit us on
Facebook at: pacharterchange</span></b></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><b><u><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Follow us on
Twitter at</span></u></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">:
@pacharterchange <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And on
LinkedIn at Keystone Center for Charter Change<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You can reach me in my new role as the director of the
Keystone Center for Charter Change at: </span><a href="mailto:larry.feinberg@psba.org"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">larry.feinberg@psba.org</span></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">. I look
forward to hearing from you.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I will continue to follow and tweet about other major
issues like fair funding, budgets, the school funding lawsuit, equity, COVID/reopening,
recruiting and retaining minority educators and standardized testing on my
personal Twitter account </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;">@lfeinberg</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, however
I will remain focused on the core mission of the Keystone Center for Charter
Change utilizing the PA Charter Change communication avenues. I invite you to
stay connected!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Thank you and warmest regards,</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64968068;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Larry Feinberg</span></span></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-59509239237292194062021-02-19T09:14:00.000-05:002021-02-19T09:14:01.026-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 19, 2021: Charter School Funding – Examining the 25% Myth; Same as it ever was – 2021 edition of Voucher Bill <p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i>If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><b><i>KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</i></b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter School
Funding – Examining the 25% Myth;<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Same as it ever was –
2021 edition of Voucher Bill<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy Friday! PA
Ed Policy Roundup will take a pause for a few days. Look for a brand new
newsletter coming out next Wednesday, February 24, 2021.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“If I could pick a topic to add just one
more thing about in my last article, it would be school funding, especially in
the areas of cyber charter schools and special education. Through the years
both have cost school districts an enormous amount of money and have impacted
taxpayer dollars.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Superintendents'
forum: Just one more thing<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reading
Eagle Opinion By Dr. Robert Pleis Twin Valley School District February 18, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is my
last article for this column. On March 31, I am retiring from public education
after 35 years of service. Writing for the superintendents' forum has been an
enjoyable experience and an opportunity not only for me but for my
superintendent colleagues in Berks County to share their thoughts and opinions
about education priorities and issues. It is hard to believe that we have been
writing articles monthly for the past nine years. Thank you to the <i>Reading
Eagle</i> for your willingness to partner with us in this endeavor, and I
hope it will continue for a long time. When looking through the history of
articles written for this column, you can see patterns emerge on particular
topics that were important and at the forefront of discussion. For example,
many of the articles written during the 2012-2013 school year dealt with standardized
testing, classroom practices and the emerging impact of technology in
education. In 2013-2014 there was an emphasis on school safety and student
needs such as relationship-building and addiction issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then, of
course, there is no surprise that articles this school year dealt with one of the
greatest challenges of our lifetime, the COVID-19 pandemic. Though you would
expect articles to reflect the times, some topics have come up year after year,
including school funding, standardized testing and school property taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/columnists/superintendents-forum-just-one-more-thing/article_a82931ee-6f89-11eb-802c-6746380dec0f.html">https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/columnists/superintendents-forum-just-one-more-thing/article_a82931ee-6f89-11eb-802c-6746380dec0f.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Frustrations over
cyber charter schools continue in Towanda<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Towanda
Daily Review <a href="https://www.thedailyreview.com/users/profile/Sam%20Latos">By
SAMANTHA LATOS Staff Writer</a> Feb 18,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">TOWANDA
BOROUGH – Officials at the Towanda Area School District are frustrated that the
district funds local cyber charter schools out from its allotted budget for the
2020-2021 school year. The district has a budget of $500,000 for this school
year and the cyber charter schools cost about $32,000 per month, according to
Superintendent Dennis Peachey. He related that charter schools generally see
the worst academic performance in Pennsylvania and that remote learning plays a
factor. “There’s no truancy laws with virtual learning,” Peachey said during
Tuesday night’s board meeting. He said that so far this school year, 54 Towanda
district students have been enrolled in different cyber charter schools. There
are currently 37 of these students in cyber charter schools including 25 from
the high school and 12 from elementary. This trend in lowering numbers is
headed in the right direction, according to Peachey. “We’ve had 17 withdraw and
come back, or left the district and went to another district and they can be
another cyber charter school kid from a different district,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.thedailyreview.com/news/local/frustrations-over-cyber-charter-schools-continue-in-towanda/article_968740b8-107d-532f-a560-45ac4b249731.html">https://www.thedailyreview.com/news/local/frustrations-over-cyber-charter-schools-continue-in-towanda/article_968740b8-107d-532f-a560-45ac4b249731.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk64613840"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter School Funding – Examining the 25% Myth<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 17, 2021 IN <a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/">PSBA NEWS</a> Video Runtime 1:04<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do charter
schools really receive 25% less funding per student than school districts? In
2018-19, Pennsylvania school districts in total spent over $2 billion in
mandated payments to charter schools. And yet, as the need for charter school
funding reform builds momentum, charter school advocates maintain that the
system disproportionally benefits school districts. Is this an accurate
statement? To unlock the 25% myth, it is important to understand the revenue
and the reasons surrounding charter school funding issues. <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__psba.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3D4d60b7fb05ab634363de69ce9-26id-3Dce74d18f65-26e-3D5a868f44d7&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=PbdydyT90ZEPsI2PiEdA41tsgpIaey5L6gF2RnJZawU&s=vRu60dqC_z4LkT9Y7jcrQXKN2heBsvgidCNtX-_cKLk&e=">Watch
this video</a> on the PA Charter Change website to
learn more, and advocate for charter change!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/02/charter-school-funding-examining-the-25-myth/">https://www.psba.org/2021/02/charter-school-funding-examining-the-25-myth/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chartiers Valley
School Board eyes charter school application<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Post Gazette
by DEANA CARPENTER FEB 18, 2021 4:55 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Chartiers
Valley School Board is set to vote Tuesday on an application for a new charter
school that Superintendent Johanna Vanatta said falls short of state criteria. Dogwood
Charter School filed an application with the district in November and plans to
locate its school in the Chartiers Valley School District. Like any new charter
school in the state, Dogwood is required by law to apply for a charter through
a school district. At a Feb. 9 school board meeting, Ms. Vanatta told the
members the application did not meet the state’s four-pronged criteria. She
said charter school applications are evaluated by school boards based on
criteria including, but not limited to, the following: demonstrated sustainable
support for the charter school plan by teachers, parents and other community
members and students; capability of the charter school applicant to provide
comprehensive learning experiences to students pursuant to the adopted charter;
the extent to which the application considers information requested as outlined
in charter school law such as finance, facilities and food services; and the
extent to which the charter school may serve as a model for other public
schools.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2021/02/18/Chartiers-Valley-School-Board-eyes-charter-school-application/stories/202102120032">https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2021/02/18/Chartiers-Valley-School-Board-eyes-charter-school-application/stories/202102120032</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New Philly Charter
Application: Pride Academy Charter School<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alliance for
Philadelphia Public Schools by Diane Payne<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every
application for a new charter school represents an attempt to further the
failed experiment on our city’s children. Pride Academy Charter’s
application does not provide any assurance that this school would offer
an educational experience significantly different from the many existing
charter schools that fail to meet basic standards in operation, achievement,
and finance. The District, facing a dire financial future, cannot afford any
more charter schools. <b>The Board should reject the application from
Pride Academy Charter. The Charter School Office Report included 31 pages
of detailed and critical analysis of the many deficiencies in this
application. </b> With few exceptions, most sections in the CSO report
cited a dearth of supporting evidence in an application heavy on lingo but
short on specifics. Although the sub-headings of the CSO report are too
numerous to list and include all aspects of the application, the Board must
consider the CSO’s analysis of the lack of expertise, background, and community
connections of both the sole founding member (who is also the proposed school
leader) as well as the proposed board members. It is hard to imagine how
to get past this single deficiency when entrusting the lives and education of
real students as well as the appropriation of citizens tax dollars let alone
the laundry list of documented CSO critiques. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://appsphilly.net/new-charter-application-pride-academy-charter-school/">https://appsphilly.net/new-charter-application-pride-academy-charter-school/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: here’s a link to on the
ground advocacy in the Coatesville Area School District<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take Action to Stop
Unfair Charter School Costs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dear Parents,
Staff & Community Members of
the Coatesville Area School District:<br />
Recently, Governor Wolf proposed his budget for 2021-2022. The details of his
proposed budget can be found <a href="https://www.budget.pa.gov/PublicationsAndReports/CommonwealthBudget/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>. What he has proposed is favorable to the
Coatesville Area School District, should this budget be approved. We encourage
our families to contact your local legislators to explain how important fair
funding is to our district, and public schools in general. To view Governor
Wolf discuss his budget, please click <a href="https://pacast.com/m?p=18468" target="_blank">here</a>. The governor’s plan proposes comprehensive
Charter School Law reform that will save school districts across the
commonwealth an estimated $229 million per year. This package of policy and
budget initiatives promotes accountability for their academic performance and
financial management, and meeting the same standards Pennsylvanians expect from
traditional public schools.<br />
This plan outlines two major issues that if changed, would help CASD immensely:<br />
<b><u>Applying the Special Education Formula to All Charter Schools:</u></b> Currently,
school districts receive funding for special education students through a
four-tiered Special Education Funding formula, with funding increasing as the
student’s need for special education services increases. Special education
tuition payments to charters, however, are calculated based on the outdated
assumption that all school districts have a special education population of 16
percent, regardless of the level of services to students. The governor’s plan
applies the four-tiered Special Education Funding formula to all charters to
better align Special Education Funding with actual costs of providing services
to special education students. This was a recommendation from the bipartisan
Special Education Funding Commission and will save school districts an
estimated $99 million annually.<br />
<b><u>Establishing a Statewide Cyber Charter Tuition Rate</u></b><u>:</u> Currently,
cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania charge school districts between $9,170
and $22,300 per student per year. For comparison, the typical tuition rates at
Intermediate Units to provide a comparable online education is around $5,400
per student per year. The governor’s plan establishes a statewide cyber tuition
rate of $9,500 per student per year, and will better align tuition with the
actual costs of providing an online education. This reform will save school
districts an estimated $130 million annually.<br />
<b>These changes would specifically save the CASD $13.8 million annually, and
increase our general education budget by 2.8%, and special education budget by
$28.6%.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.votervoice.net/WannerAssoc/campaigns/63917/respond">https://www.votervoice.net/WannerAssoc/campaigns/63917/respond</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Register now for
PSBA’s Virtual Advocacy Day this spring!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 19, 2021 IN <a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/">PSBA NEWS</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public
school leaders are invited to join us for our spring <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psba.org_event_psba-2Dspring-2Dvirtual-2Dadvocacy-2Dday_&d=DwMF-g&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=a5iOUN_bsEJtqnPLass2F4Q6gGWwtvD8RlfIFw80ghE&m=e3RBdyp4y2Ns0c7MX88oi0xep-mujjVOMQ-MPDR7Dwc&s=__Te7CzrCOQbnfk0XQxu9wHgn-dBm2gISMLS8HKTkZo&e=" target="_blank">Virtual Advocacy Day</a> on
Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We need all of you to help strengthen our
advocacy impact. The day will center around contacting legislators to discuss
critical issues affecting public education. Registrants will receive the
meeting invitation with a link to our spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that
contains talking points, a link to locate contact information for your
legislator and additional information to help you have a successful day. <a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/" target="_blank">Register
now on myPSBA!</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/02/register-now-for-psbas-virtual-advocacy-day-this-spring/">https://www.psba.org/2021/02/register-now-for-psbas-virtual-advocacy-day-this-spring/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: We expect SB1, the 2021
version of Vouchers, to be introduced soon. For you nostalgia buffs, here’s
what this looked like last time around….<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Vouchers - Reprise
2011: Senator zeroes in on school choice legislation in 2011<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/user/jmurphy/index.html" title="http://connect.pennlive.com/user/jmurphy/index.html">JAN
MURPHY, The Patriot-News </a> Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2010,
10:27 PM Updated: Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 10:35 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">With both
gubernatorial candidates supporting government-funded grants to parents to use
at any school they choose for their children, Sen. Jeffrey Piccola hopes to
grease the skids to make it a reality soon after the victor takes his oath of
office. The Dauphin County Republican, who chairs the Senate Education
Committee, is planning a daylong hearing on Oct. 13 in the North Office
Building Hearing Room 1 in the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg on the
topic of school choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/09/senator_zeroes_in_on_school_ch.html" title="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/09/senator_zeroes_in_on_school_ch.html
blocked::http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/09/senator_zeroes_in_on_school_ch.html">http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/09/senator_zeroes_in_on_school_ch.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here’s cosponsorship memo for SB1:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Senate of
Pennsylvania Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">COSPONSORSHIP MEMORANDUM<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Posted: February
3, 2021 03:18 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">From: Senator
Scott Martin and Sen. John DiSanto, Sen. Jake Corman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">To: All
Senate members<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Subject: Excellence in Education for All
(EEA)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the near
future, we intend to introduce legislation in the form of Senate Bill 1, to be
known as “The Excellence in Education for All Act." The goal of this
comprehensive legislation is to allow parents in communities all across the
Commonwealth to be directly involved in helping determine the best approach for
the success of their child’s education. This legislation would provide
additional resources for our most vulnerable students, while ensuring all
families have equal access and maximum flexibility in schooling options. All
students deserve an excellent education. No matter a child’s ZIP code,
educational needs, or parental income, each child should have access to the
best schools and quality teaching to afford them the potential to succeed and the
opportunities they deserve. Now more than ever, we’re seeing that in order to
best prepare the next generation, we cannot take a one size fits all approach
to education. There is no denying that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has
further highlighted the need for increased educational opportunities. As we
look to the future and life after the pandemic, in order to best serve the
education needs of all students we must provide opportunities to parents when
choosing the educational options that work best for their children. Specifically, the key components of the
legislation would include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education
Opportunity Accounts for PA’s most vulnerable students<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Expansion of
the existing EITC/OSTC tax credit scholarship programs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter
school reforms and innovations<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Equal access
to the best public education, regardless of ZIP code<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Protections
for coronavirus learning pods<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We ask that
you consider co-sponsoring this important legislation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=34538">https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=34538</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some Philly parents
are getting worried their kids are ‘never going to be in school’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">“We need to
come up with a solution, and just saying, ‘This other district has more
resources’ is not a solution,” said parent Lexi Peskin.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inquirer by <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/">Kristen
A. Graham</a> Published Feb 18, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">John’a
Little works overnights, finishing her shift just before 6 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">By 8:05,
she’s sitting next to her son, helping him log on to his laptop for first grade
at Shawmont Elementary in Roxborough. Samir is bright but needs help staying on
track for virtual school, so Little spends her day with him. Little does her
best, and catches catnaps when she can, but she’s exhausted all the time, and
worried that her boy is missing too much by not being in the same room with his
teachers. Samir is one of 9,000 Philadelphia students scheduled to return to
Philadelphia School District schools on March 1, though reopening is up in the
air amid a standoff between the district and city teachers, who say schools
aren’t yet safe for return. While parents, educators, union officials, and
advocates have been organized, vocal, and clear on their position that schools
aren’t ready to reopen, those on the other side say their voices are being
drowned out. They point to other schools’ reopening as evidence that it can be
done. They say that children are suffering with buildings closed and that the
strain of virtual learning on families, especially those of essential workers
and those in vulnerable communities, is a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-reopening-parents-20210218.html">https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-reopening-parents-20210218.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Radio Times: Reopening
Philadelphia’s schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">WHYY Radio
Times Air Date: February 18, 2021 10:00 am<a href="https://whyy-od.streamguys1.com/radiotimes/RT210218.mp3" title="Reopening Philadelphia’s schools"> Listen 49:00</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In-person
learning was set to resume in the Philadelphia School District on Monday. But
ongoing disagreements between the school district and the teachers union over
safety have forced the start date to move again, now to March 1<sup>st</sup>.
The majority of teachers are voicing opposition to returning to schools
over safety concerns, while many parents would like to see their kids return to
normal in-person learning and the socializing that remote classrooms cannot
provide. Today on the show we look at the district’s plan to reopen and what
health experts say about COVID risk and schools. We’ll talk with <a href="https://www.chop.edu/doctors/coffin-susan-e"><b>SUSAN COFFIN</b></a>, an infectious disease physician at
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who has written guidance for school
reopening, school parents <a href="https://www.philadelphiahsc.org/shakeda-gianes"><b>SHAKEDA GAINES</b></a>, and <b>TAKENIA GOODMAN</b>, and
kindergarten teacher <b>KATE SANNICKS LERNER</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://whyy.org/episodes/reopening-philadelphias-schools/">https://whyy.org/episodes/reopening-philadelphias-schools/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Largest Pa. teachers’
union calls for members to be prioritized in COVID-19 vaccine rollout<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Teachers are
slated to be next in line for the vaccine in the 1b classification of the
state's rollout.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">WITF by Julia
Agos FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | 11:52 AM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Harrisburg)
— While some teachers’ unions are taking a hardline approach on members getting
vaccinated before they head back into the classroom, the commonwealth’s largest
educators’ coalition is taking a more flexible stance. The group wants
teachers to be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine
but, notes it’s not a prerequisite for returning to full-time,
in-person learning. Teachers are slated to be next in line for the vaccine
in the 1b classification of the state’s rollout, along with
clergy and postal workers. But, PSEA spokesman Chris Lilienthal says
the association sees a way to start vaccinating teachers
now — without upending the whole process. They are recommending the
state set aside a portion of the vaccine allotment for educators. “While it may
take a number of weeks to occur, we think there is a way to have this running
on a parallel track along with everything else,” Lilienthal said<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.witf.org/2021/02/18/largest-pa-teachers-union-calls-for-members-to-be-prioritized-in-covid-19-vaccine-rollout/">https://www.witf.org/2021/02/18/largest-pa-teachers-union-calls-for-members-to-be-prioritized-in-covid-19-vaccine-rollout/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Pennsylvania has one of the largest
funding gap in the country between low-wealth and high-wealth school districts.
Pennsylvania is also ranked 44th in the share of funding that comes from the
state, leaving local taxpayers to take on rising costs. As a result, underfunding
is widespread–affecting urban, rural, and suburban districts–and it reproduces
the same fundamental inequalities brought about by the history of residential
segregation in our commonwealth. We are representing six school districts suing
Pennsylvania legislative leaders to challenge this inequitable system.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PENNSYLVANIA’S SCHOOL
FUNDING LAWSUIT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public
Interest Law Center Website<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This year
has shown us the essential importance of public schools. But in Pennsylvania,
thousands of students go without basic educational needs because of where they
live. School districts and parents are going to court to change that status
quo, and trial is coming soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join us for
a free online webinar to learn the latest updates on the case, the potential
impact of the Governor’s budget proposal, the root causes of underfunding and
funding disparities, and how you can join the movement for public schools.
Co-hosted by the Education Law Center-PA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Date</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">: Wednesday, February 24, 2021<b> Time</b>: 12-1 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Place</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">: Online via Zoom </span><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdOqrrjgqGt3rtDW9s8KKyY47eTUaoDgS" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">REGISTER HERE</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The $1 billion plan
to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inquirer <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/cynthia_fernandez/">by Cynthia
Fernandez</a>, Posted: February 18, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG —
When Pennsylvania passed a new formula to distribute money for public schools
in 2016, it was hailed as a major step toward equity and away from an arbitrary
system built on decades-old enrollment data. “Prior to today, Pennsylvania was
one of only three states in the nation without a fair funding formula,” Gov.
Tom Wolf <a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-signs-fair-funding-formula-renews-call-to-restore-funding/">said</a> at the time. “We still have a lot of
work to do in order to restore funding, but we are now closer to resolving the
inequity in Pennsylvania’s school funding distribution.” But nearly five years
later, <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/school-funding-pennsylvania-lawsuit-report-20201027.html">many
of the disparities it aimed to address remain</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-education-tom-wolf-budget-funding-formula-hold-harmless-20210218.html">https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-education-tom-wolf-budget-funding-formula-hold-harmless-20210218.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Advocates gearing up
for fair education funding push<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown
Mercury by <a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</a> February 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">As debate
begins over Gov. Tom Wolf's budget, which includes a massive infusion of
funding for public schools, advocates for fair school funding are gearing up
their efforts to build support, seeing this as perhaps their best chance to
gain ground on the issue. One of those groups, <a href="https://paschoolswork.org/" target="_blank">named PA Schools Work</a>, held an online tutorial Tuesday on the
issue, and how it would be affected by Wolf's budget plan. First some basics: Pennsylvania
currently ranks 47th in the nation for state funding for public schools.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fair Funding
Formula Failure: On a "dollar-per-student" basis, the state's current
funding also favors districts with dwindling white student populations over
districts with growing non-white populations. To remedy that, <a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pennsylvania-adopts-a-new-formula-to-fund-schools/article_9d43b3df-53c0-5af1-837c-7b9276bc3bfc.html#:~:text=Pennsylvania's%20Basic%20Education%20Funding%20Commission,school%20districts%20in%20the%20commonwealth." target="_blank">Harrisburg adopted a "fair-funding formula" in 2016</a> aimed at leveling the educational
playing field, increasing funding for districts based on things like community
poverty and the number of English-language learners in a given district. But
that intention is undermined annually by the fact that the formula only applies
to a small portion of the state's education funding. This year, it's 11
percent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/advocates-gearing-up-for-fair-education-funding-push/article_439ac2ce-7150-11eb-8e2a-ebb0a9e81ea1.html">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/advocates-gearing-up-for-fair-education-funding-push/article_439ac2ce-7150-11eb-8e2a-ebb0a9e81ea1.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bethlehem NAACP calls
for full return to in-class learning; school district says hybrid learning is
still safer<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">By <a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-andrew-scott-staff.html#nt=byline">ANDREW
SCOTT</a> THE MORNING CALL | FEB 18, 2021 AT 6:32
PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The NAACP’s
Bethlehem chapter called Thursday for Bethlehem Area School District to take
immediate steps to return to full-time in-person classes, saying online
learning during the pandemic is stunting students’ academic growth. But the
school district says its hybrid plan is still the safest way to learn. “Bethlehem
Area School District students, especially our Black and Brown students, suffer
serious academic losses and negative social consequences every day that the
pandemic is used to defend continuation of ‘virtual’ educational strategies,”
Bethlehem NAACP President Esther Lee wrote in a letter. “Because schools have
not yet returned to full-time classroom instruction, educational efforts merely
limp along as the publicly-educated children of Bethlehem suffer permanent academic
deterioration.” The letter says returning to five-day, in-person classes will
require all district employees get vaccinated; temperature checks of employees,
students and visitors on a daily basis; and that buildings are regularly
sanitized to ensure everyone’s safety. Since August, the school district has
been using a hybrid model for most of the student body. Those students are
split into two groups, which alternate between socially distanced, in-person
learning one day and online instruction the next.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-bethlehem-naacp-request-to-school-district-20210218-qplytoxkcbe33hv73rrp4j3q5q-story.html">https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-bethlehem-naacp-request-to-school-district-20210218-qplytoxkcbe33hv73rrp4j3q5q-story.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Covid report card: A
look at first semester cases in Allegheny, Westmoreland school districts<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Trib Live by
<a href="https://triblive.com/author/megan-tomasic/">MEGAN
TOMASIC</a> | Friday, February 19,
2021 5:55 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the
start of the school year, districts in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties have
been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, forcing schools to close and students
to partake in remote learning to help curb the spread of the virus. The chart
below reflects the number of covid cases reported by school districts in both
counties during the first semester. How cases were counted varies by district.
Some reflect positive cases reported during remote learning and holiday breaks,
while others only include cases from when students and staff were in school
buildings. For example, Greensburg Salem, which reported 58 cases during the
first semester, only reported cases that were in school buildings. If cases
were included outside of school buildings, an additional 15 students who may
have been positive could be added to that total, Superintendent Gary Peiffer
said. He noted those 15 cases could not be confirmed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/covid-report-card-a-look-at-first-semester-cases-in-allegheny-westmoreland-school-districts/">https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/covid-report-card-a-look-at-first-semester-cases-in-allegheny-westmoreland-school-districts/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘They see me as a
role model’: Black teachers improve education outcomes for Black students<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">WHYY By <a href="https://whyy.org/person/sojourner-ahebee/">Sojourner Ahébée</a> February 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In second
grade, Noah Reilly was assigned to do an immigration project. He and his
classmates had to write short papers about their ancestors’ journeys to the
United States and make dolls that represented their families’ stories. But Noah
had a feeling his doll would look different. “My mom said that I would probably
be the only one with this [doll], and I was the only one,” Noah said. For his
project, Noah wanted to tell the story of his mother’s family, who are Black.
He is a multiracial child who attends a school in the suburbs of Philadelphia
where Black children make up only 5% of the student population. Noah’s teacher
was white. “I think it was hard for the teacher to understand why the project
was an issue, that not everyone has an immigration story,” said Monet Reilly,
Noah’s mother. “There were obviously a large group of people who came here as
slaves. And not as willing immigrants.” Reilly said the project forced her to
discuss slavery with Noah, something she wasn’t ready to do. And despite
several attempts to raise concerns with his teacher, she was met with general
dismissiveness. “She told me, ‘Well, you know the Irish came here as slaves
too,’ as if that somehow made it better that I had to explain to my then 7-year-old
what slavery was and why it not the same as immigration,” Reilly said. At the
time, Black teachers made up only 1% of Noah’s school district. Reilly said
that if there had been more teachers of color in his school, someone could have
looked at the project and been able to intervene earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://whyy.org/segments/they-see-me-as-a-role-model-black-teachers-improve-education-outcomes-for-black-students/">https://whyy.org/segments/they-see-me-as-a-role-model-black-teachers-improve-education-outcomes-for-black-students/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teacher bridges
global divide for Philadelphia students with African-centered curriculum<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chalkbeat Philly
By <a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun">Johann Calhoun</a> Feb 17, 2021, 8:48pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Aminata Sy
is the founder and president of African Community Learning Program in
Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">How do
teachers captivate their students? Here, in a feature we call How I Teach, we
ask great educators how they approach their jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Aminata Sy
aims to bring learning skills from her native Africa to West Philadelphia. The
Senegalese native runs the African Community Learning Program, known as ACLP,
and teaches students who are from various countries on the continent about
their culture. She’s currently a graduate student at American University. While
working on her degree at the University of Pennsylvania, Sy created ACLP as an
after-school program for early learners, many of whom did not speak English.
She wanted to reverse learning practices for Black students from the African
diaspora. Her students have hailed from Senegal, Liberia, Burkina Faso,
Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Sudan, and Sierra Leone. “I noticed that many students
from the African continent struggled in the city’s public schools,” Sy said.
“We grew from my basement to the Blackwell Library on 52nd Street to Paul
Robeson High School — teaching students a culturally responsive
African-centered curriculum.” As the program increased in size so did its
offerings. Last year Sy launched the ACLP Future Scholars Program offering an
African-centered culturally responsive college preparatory curriculum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/17/22288530/teacher-bridges-global-divide-for-philadelphia-students-with-african-centered-curriculum">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/17/22288530/teacher-bridges-global-divide-for-philadelphia-students-with-african-centered-curriculum</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Quakertown teachers
agree to three-year contract with school district<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/staff/3330957001/peg-quann/">Peg
Quann</a> Bucks County Courier Times February 13, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teachers,
counselors and nurses in the <a href="https://www.qcsd.org/" target="_blank">Quakertown Community School District </a>have reached a tentative three-year agreement
with the district. The 333 staff members who belong to the Quakertown Community
Education Association voted last weekend to accept the contract. The new
contract will take effect after the current five-year contract expires on June
30. Its terms provide for annual salary increases of 1.5, 1.0 and 1.5
percent. A first-year teacher will make $47,667 while a
teacher at the top of the scale will make $106,463. In the last year of
the new contract, a first-year teacher will make $49,781 while a teacher at top
of the scale will earn $111,184. District spokesman Gary Weckselblatt said
the compensation package will average a maximum cost to the district of $1.8
million but the actual amount is expected to be less due to attritional
savings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/13/quakertown-community-school-district-teachers-agree-three-year-pact/4444806001/">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/13/quakertown-community-school-district-teachers-agree-three-year-pact/4444806001/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6 Big Questions
Superintendents Are Asking About the CDC Guidance<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education
Week By <a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/stephen-sawchuk">Stephen Sawchuk</a> — February 17, 2021 7 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Superintendents
continue to wrestle with the finer points about opening schools and how to put
into action the lengthy guidance released last week by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Close to 400 district leaders today attended a
conference call hosted jointly by federal officials and AASA, the School
Superintendents Association, to press the CDC for more information. The
guidance<a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/cdc-releases-new-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-will-it-help-them-reopen/2021/02"> suggests
many schools can open with proper precautions.</a> It puts a particular emphasis on
masking and physical distancing among five key virus mitigation strategies,
which also include hand-washing, cleaning and disinfecting, and contact tracing
and isolation for exposed staff and students. But superintendents looking for
the how-to guide of their dreams will be disappointed. The CDC guidelines are
not a mandate, and decisions about reopening and how to use the guidelines are
still in the hands of local district leaders and health agencies, said Greta
Massetti, a senior scientist at the CDC. She took questions alongside Donna
Harris-Aikens, senior advisor for policy and planning at the U.S. Department of
Education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/6-big-questions-superintendents-are-asking-about-the-cdc-guidance/2021/02">https://www.edweek.org/leadership/6-big-questions-superintendents-are-asking-about-the-cdc-guidance/2021/02</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join Education Voters
for "PA School Funding and Advocacy 101" for an overview of school
funding issues, an update on the school funding lawsuit and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education Voters
PA February 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBsf4ZYzSjHQotKU9fctMXueT4tIVsWnfxA5KIoH1a1blYsQI6NfAppx9sHw8VkWna9o9ZXYHP2BoDZOH1OFxbbX41JRJR7WPTrFHXRpwGdKKcReeL27GN2aYhIwIxKh1tGPVC6Q2lq6LwrlYR7HkhtKPlkYL5VUPNcvNrEFrnxNJQcSs3JGdjyCJE5G9Ut6Kf0y1_8oS4nN-8tk8kT0ylvttUNR7evp4E4o5-dmTgXGqDCLm50qApXXUDGHHFzSfnbrg4e77McMaocPdfifQPvy604HHz-nyPLZYbfymOnaN0lY8qI6H1ZbU59nfGqy7RA/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h0/RFIujnIucVPZcAxWCDd9dvYpeu45LrldYUnSKrwiFw0" target="_blank">Click HERE to register for one of our webinars.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBul7aAK-SyyN1zlkoRZVLuw-V4_Xs6XqhTz35y2MjlP-hfF4QT-b4VA0ZeDzrrR_HLLQLBXb7fp9JTYn_1WPtcPeN8RqrCrPyrxZr6sEoi4vTzdwpyxx0lb2o9fAEvGac1nAvWTY8gJ2aX7Ob1-_b0k8RiKmLvlZS29rAwH62J-M-dC65E9EVuaa4qkmbeu_Gr4hUoa-8RBXph3ZZGgX48dA-UxfqhWJxYqAC6h1V-PAI3eKyDB_ciCJ-_j6Kw31pkJUl4kP-RL9tUHDKX5dcBL6bWesdizcLKCDzaSqCk0G9TlnX98lPGblYCzPWFKBrQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h1/2gzHGDjVwjD08afs6C5jf0xkj8HnsYaPBf8doV4rtr8" target="_blank"><b>Fri, Feb 19, 12:00pm–1:00pm EST</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBvPlr5Lhe7VyjvTMsACqI6hN80lfRHnXzxXKqijIwkzuHRWr9YJX4tQ4f6w0Vyf5VLKag9ORVgKIjb203acgAyhAfAUhZEjfZmBttGv9-PPxc9J7DspjawdLQJ4RG7UdwXFDOT0CHR3MclsdrhvmwHcRQko1IuRmD6UUAq-ZnOwlBL1RuKEcX21hRNg0Ny57HGdm0hRQIoeyR8GlG_Hy9B4jVk_wfHfw448nrv8skTcIJZVQnE5z3P9-ygdBzaddVxg_Qzc0TQqfXvhYVqf9zPFU_iAd45amhp-tK6iS7r3RulLeae26eaSUrguM6ZUlIQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h2/qL3BFc3Ac9vS-NKMR017B0XujuL-LTtOv6S-WP6HbcQ" target="_blank"><b>Tue, Feb 23, 7:00pm–8:00pm EST</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Questions we
will answer include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are schools funded in PA?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who decides how much funding my local
schools get?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">What is the Basic Education Funding
Formula (fair funding formula)?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why does Pennsylvania have the widest
funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the
country?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are charter schools funded and how
can the current system be reformed?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can I most effectively advocate for
the school funding students in my district and throughout Pennsylvania's
need and deserve?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We will also
provide a brief update on Pennsylvania's school funding lawsuit, which is
scheduled to go to trial this year. (Visit <a href="http://www.fundourschoolspa.org/" target="_blank">www.FundOurSchoolsPa.org</a> to learn more!) And we'll have plenty
of time for Q&A. I hope that you'll join us and/or <a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBnf-hO61lH1PBhIi1ESit1rZnE4LvcrbH8lVi-J80su-DIH4IhllmK3nFOqo2yFSj4tBdp56lR0PxUWB_VqRwsSLjiEw6-EjNn0kufLnsZX1MWtXeDpQmLw5eY1ECIBlgPD92gGgQ33PdKbleo4ESaqYhUMCE6pDBhRh1VmlnWD894rln_GcYzh_4clPvc-2ixMMJkrmXwTfWjU-8IxzIuwmrRoQPCaLRQ8mKb6vrY6aEJYeLxnx1HuTJJfhfJ1KF1jWHRYIWPHxZHTsaAXIQGM-CTmAdIyyJqJv9eDWOptLdOaUrxqzsMGBiJgg7nXGtQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h3/lvPp3JascrbLND9UugezNT2NETz9kDgR2dqA0HRZMcc" target="_blank"><b>share this invitation</b></a><b> </b>with people in your network who are
interested in learning more and getting involved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST GROVE—There
will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on Wednesday,
Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - <a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Cost:</b> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Registration:</b> Registration
is available under Event Registration on <a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/">myPSBA.org.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>2021 PA
Educational Leadership Summit</b>, hosted by the<i> PA Principals
Association</i> and the <i>PA Association of School Administrators
(PASA)</i>, is being held from <b>August 1-3 at the Kalahari Resorts and
Convention Center, Poconos</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA
Principals Association Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:54 AM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>PIL Hours
Available! See links below to register and for further information.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://ppa13.wildapricot.org/event-4167130" target="_blank"><b>Click
here to register today!</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/summit21/Datesaver%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Click here for the informational flyer and details</b></a><b>.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">358 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i>The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </i></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"></a><a name="_Hlk64350980"> </a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-51881593149375217832021-02-18T09:10:00.000-05:002021-02-18T09:10:41.853-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 18, 2021: The $1 billion plan to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 18, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The $1 billion plan
to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All School Directors: PSBA Monthly Zoom Exchange Feb 18 12:30 - 1:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join other PSBA-member school directors for cross-district networking
and discussion on education hot topics, legislative updates and advocacy
strategies. All School Directors: Monthly Exchange will be held via Zoom at
12:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month, January through June.
Geographic-based breakout rooms will be utilized to allow for discussion among
school directors in the same regions of the state. Learn more or register: </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/tW7LtzMcuN?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://ow.ly/rW4F50DrrCq</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dover Area School
District calls need for charter school law reform 'urgent'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erin
Bamer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Dispatch February 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dover Area
School District officials are calling on state legislators to reform
Pennsylvania's charter school law to reduce expenses for school
districts. The school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a
resolution requesting the reform as part of the meeting's consent agenda. The
resolution argues that the current law for charter school funding is
unfair to school districts and calls the need for reform
"urgent." "School districts are struggling to keep up with
growing charter costs and are forced to raise taxes and cut staffing, programs
and services for their own students in order to pay millions of dollars to
charter schools," the resolution said. School districts pay charter
schools tuition for each student enrolled in a charter within the
district. Dover spokesperson Bradly Perkins said his district pays charter
schools about $12,000 per regular education student and nearly $27,000 per
special education student. The resolution said existing charter
school law is unfair because districts pay charter schools based on the
district's tuition rate instead of what the charter needs to educate the
student. The debate over charter school funding has increased over the past
year as enrollment spiked for cyber charter schools during the COVID-19
pandemic. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/17/dover-area-school-district-calls-need-charter-school-law-reform-urgent/6779511002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/17/dover-area-school-district-calls-need-charter-school-law-reform-urgent/6779511002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter School
Funding – Examining the 25% Myth<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 17, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Video Runtime 1:04<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Do charter
schools really receive 25% less funding per student than school districts? In
2018-19, Pennsylvania school districts in total spent over $2 billion in
mandated payments to charter schools. And yet, as the need for charter school
funding reform builds momentum, charter school advocates maintain that the
system disproportionally benefits school districts. Is this an accurate
statement? To unlock the 25% myth, it is important to understand the revenue
and the reasons surrounding charter school funding issues. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__psba.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3D4d60b7fb05ab634363de69ce9-26id-3Dce74d18f65-26e-3D5a868f44d7&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=PbdydyT90ZEPsI2PiEdA41tsgpIaey5L6gF2RnJZawU&s=vRu60dqC_z4LkT9Y7jcrQXKN2heBsvgidCNtX-_cKLk&e="><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Watch
this video</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on the PA Charter Change website to
learn more, and advocate for charter change!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/02/charter-school-funding-examining-the-25-myth/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/02/charter-school-funding-examining-the-25-myth/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: this piece includes an
embedded table: Which school districts benefit from hold harmless, and which
don't<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The $1 billion plan
to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/cynthia_fernandez/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by
Cynthia Fernandez</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 18, 2021- 5:00
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Spotlight PA</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is an independent, non-partisan
newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The
Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. </span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/newsletters"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sign up for our free newsletters</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">HARRISBURG —
When Pennsylvania passed a new formula to distribute money for public schools
in 2016, it was hailed as a major step toward equity and away from an arbitrary
system built on decades-old enrollment data. “Prior to today, Pennsylvania was
one of only three states in the nation without a fair funding formula,” Gov.
Tom Wolf </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-signs-fair-funding-formula-renews-call-to-restore-funding/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">said</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> at the time. “We still have a lot of
work to do in order to restore funding, but we are now closer to resolving the
inequity in Pennsylvania’s school funding distribution.” But nearly five years
later, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/school-funding-pennsylvania-lawsuit-report-20201027.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">many
of the disparities it aimed to address remain</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Part of the issue: Only a fraction of state
education funding actually goes through the formula, designed to help poor and
underfunded districts. Most of the public school subsidy is distributed using
an approach called “hold harmless,” which guarantees districts never lose state
funding regardless of enrollment changes. An average shrinking district saw
funding increase by $3,200 per student over the past three decades, according
to a January report from Public Citizens for Children and Youth, a nonprofit
led by a member of former Gov. Ed Rendell’s cabinet. Per-pupil funding in an
average expanding district, meanwhile, has grown by just $1,000. More than 80%
of the state’s Black, Hispanic, or Latinx students attend growing school
districts, according to the report. But the hold harmless policy is not solely
to blame for the inequities in the state’s system. Pennsylvania </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/2020%20Rankings%20and%20Estimates%20Report%20FINAL_0.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">ranks</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 47th in the nation for the share of
K-12 public education funding that comes from the state, a path that began
after the state stopped reimbursing school districts for 50% of their costs in
the 1980s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-education-tom-wolf-budget-funding-formula-hold-harmless-20210218.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-education-tom-wolf-budget-funding-formula-hold-harmless-20210218.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="270185098195670552"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Advocates Gearing Up for Fair School Funding fight<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Digital
Notebook by Evan Brandt Wednesday, February 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As debate
begins over Gov. Tom Wolf's budget, which includes a massive infusion of
funding for public schools, advocates for fair school funding are gearing up
their efforts to build support, seeing this perhaps as their best chance to
gain ground on the issue. An advocacy group named PA Schools Work held an
on-line tutorial Tuesday on the issue, and how it would be affected by Wolf's
budget plan. First some basics: Pennsylvania currently ranks 47th in the
nation for state funding a public schools. To make that embarrassing statistic
worse, the state's funding also currently favors districts with dwindling white
student populations over districts with growing non-white populations. To
remedy that, Harrisburg adopted a "fair-funding formula" a few years
back aimed at leveling the educational playing field based on things like
community poverty and the number of English-language learners in a given
district. But that act of fairness is undermined annually by the fact that the
formula only applies to a small portion of the state's education funding. This
year, it's 11 percent. Another arcane relic of legislative action is
something called "hold harmless," which means no district, even if it
is losing population, will ever get less state funding than the year before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2021/02/advocates-gearing-up-for-fair-school.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2021/02/advocates-gearing-up-for-fair-school.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">'A perfect storm':
How quarantines, staff shortages and a shrinking substitute teacher pool have
complicated in-person learning<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lancaster
Online by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/staff/alexgeli"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">ALEX GELI | Staff Writer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 18, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One day in
early December, Ephrata High School math teacher Kris Miller took a rather
peculiar approach in class. He had his students read an article from a recent
edition of Scholastic News. “Could You Clone Your Pet?” the headline read. Miller
then went around the room and asked students to share their pets’ names and
decide whether they’d consider cloning them. After all, who doesn’t want their
pet to live forever? “Charice? No,” Miller said, uncharacteristically fumbling
on the student’s name. “Charis,” the student said, correcting him. “Charis.
Darn it,” Miller said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I used to
have, um, three cats, but now I only have two because one of them died,” Charis
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Oh, that’s
sad,” Miller said. “Did you ever think about cloning your cat?” “No,” Charis
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s not
every day Miller has such a discussion with his students. That’s because, on
this day, Miller wasn’t teaching math. He was teaching fourth-grade at Highland
Elementary School.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was part
of a temporary volunteer initiative at Ephrata Area School District to recruit
high school teachers to fill empty classrooms at the elementary and middle
school level. The district was facing a higher amount of teacher quarantines
due to holiday gatherings and out-of-state travel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While
teacher quarantines and staff shortages were of heightened concern around the
holidays, it’s been a nagging issue for all Lancaster County school districts
this pandemic-plagued school year as administrators think of every possible way
to keep school buildings open.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/a-perfect-storm-how-quarantines-staff-shortages-and-a-shrinking-substitute-teacher-pool-have-complicated/article_fd59e67e-715d-11eb-b65e-73179128b1be.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/a-perfect-storm-how-quarantines-staff-shortages-and-a-shrinking-substitute-teacher-pool-have-complicated/article_fd59e67e-715d-11eb-b65e-73179128b1be.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly’s school
reopening was pushed back again<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by
Kristen A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 17, 2021- 10:51
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Philadelphia School District has pushed back its reopening date for a third
time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Superintendent
William R. Hite Jr. said Wednesday 9,000 prekindergarten through second grade
students won’t return on Feb. 22 as planned but will instead go back March 1 amid
an ongoing building safety dispute between the district and its teachers union.
Students had been scheduled to return Monday. The news left him “deeply
disappointed,” the superintendent said. Hite maintains that schools are safe
but said he will not bring children back to classrooms that aren’t ready for
them. Teachers were due back Feb. 8 but, at the direction of Philadelphia
Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan, refused to report to school
buildings and have been working from home. City school buildings have been
closed since March.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-covid-hite-council-20210217.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-covid-hite-council-20210217.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia school
reopening delayed again — this time until March 1<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teachers
union says district ‘made right decision’; still no word from mediator<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 17, 2021, 10:44am EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Philadelphia school district has pushed back reopening of schools for a third
time, with a new target date for early grades set for March 1, Superintendent
William Hite announced Wednesday. The one-week delay for prekindergarten to
second grade is the latest twist in the district’s third attempt to reopen
school buildings, which have been closed since last March. Hite said he was
“deeply disappointed” to make the decision, which was due to the ongoing
mediation between the district and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. “I
believe we all agree on reopening schools,” Hite said. “The dispute has been
how can we do that safely and the district needs to address that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/17/22287334/philly-school-reopening-delayed-again-this-time-until-march-1"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/17/22287334/philly-school-reopening-delayed-again-this-time-until-march-1</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">City Council grills
Hite on reopening as return to classrooms stuck in limbo<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WHYY By Emily
Rizzo February 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Members of
city council pressed School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William
Hite on issues of public trust during a hearing Wednesday on school reopening
plans. The Children and Youth and Education committees hosted the hearing after
Hite announced earlier in the day that a return to classrooms for city
children </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-schools-delay-reopening-amid-stalled-dispute-with-teachers-union/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">would
be delayed</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> until March 1 amid a dispute with the
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. Testimony from Hite and other district
officials lasted almost two hours, as councilmembers raised concerns about
safety and transparency. Councilmember Helen Gym told Hite she’s heard
“consistent articulation of a deep-seated lack of trust that the district has
not made itself immediately available to ordinary families.” She said families
need a “real place” for “questions to be asked and answered,” especially
regarding health and safety issues.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/city-council-grills-hite-on-reopening-as-return-to-classrooms-stuck-in-limbo/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/city-council-grills-hite-on-reopening-as-return-to-classrooms-stuck-in-limbo/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly schools should
not reopen until all staff can be guaranteed a COVID vaccine | Expert Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rhea Powell,
For the Inquirer Posted: February 17, 2021 - 11:55 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Rhea Powell
is an internal medicine physician in Philadelphia.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">As a
physician and a parent of elementary-aged children, I was eager to read the
recent </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">guidance
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on strategies schools can use to lower
the risk of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC guidance is an
important step toward reopening schools, and I applaud their attention to
masking, physical distancing, and maintaining healthy facilities. The CDC
recommendations describe vaccination of school staff as an important additional
layer of COVID-19 prevention, yet they stop short of deeming it essential for
in-person school. But here in Philadelphia, vaccination of school staff is
critical for a safe and successful school reopening. Philadelphia schools face
many challenges to implementing the mitigation strategies recommended by the
CDC, particularly those related to maintaining healthy facilities. Our school
buildings were already in urgent need of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/philly/education/Phila-school-buildings-need-almost-5b-in-repairs.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">repair</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> before the pandemic, and now we have an
emergent need: to ensure that schools can support educational activities
without exacerbating the toll that COVID-19 takes on our community.
Unfortunately, there are no quick or easy solutions to create healthy school
facilities in Philadelphia. Fixing our schools requires huge investments in
infrastructure for public education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-reopening-teachers-vaccine-support-staff-20210217.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-reopening-teachers-vaccine-support-staff-20210217.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ciresi appointed to
Special Education Funding Commission<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rep. Joseph
Ciresi News Release February 17, 2021 | 2:52 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">HARRISBURG,
Feb. 17</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> –
State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, was recently appointed to the Special
Education Funding Commission, a position recommended by Democratic Leader
Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., and approved by House Speaker Bryan Cutler,
R-Lancaster. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://specialeducationfundingcommission.pasenategop.com/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">SEFC</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, which was established in 2013, reviews and
makes recommendations regarding special education funding in the commonwealth.
Its focus over the last two years has been reviewing the formula that directs
state funding to school districts in Pennsylvania that have the greatest need
for additional resources based upon the cost of each special education
student. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">“I am truly
honored by this appointment and offer my gratitude to Leader McClinton and
Speaker Cutler for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving in the best
interest of our state’s special education students and teachers,” said Ciresi,
who was appointed at the beginning of this 2021-22 legislative session to </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pahouse.com/Ciresi/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=118038" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">serve on the House Education Committee</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Ensuring
fair funding of education is one of my top priorities as a legislator, and my
background as a school board member for 12 years has given me insight on
education policy in general and special education in particular. I am ready to
get to work to ensure those school districts with the greatest special
education needs are recognized and funded fairly, since having access to fair
resources is what our students deserve.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pahouse.com/Ciresi/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=118466"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pahouse.com/Ciresi/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=118466</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: Arthur Dantchick is a
partner of Jeff Yass and steady contributor to candidates supporting school privatization
efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Kerr, though she identified
herself as a "pragmatic Democrat," did not oppose vouchers, and saw
support from conservative and pro-voucher groups. She
accepted a $15,000 contribution from Arthur Dantchik, a Pennsylvania-based
donor who backs school choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wisconsin primary
election results: Kerr and Underly advance in DPI race<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/staff/2646534001/rory-linnane/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rory
Linnane</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Milwaukee Journal Sentinel<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the
primary race for state superintendent of schools, former Brown Deer
superintendent Deborah Kerr and Pecatonica superintendent Jill Underly declared
victories Tuesday night, pitting them against each other in the general
election April 6. In Milwaukee, four candidates will advance to the general
election for two contested seats on the school board. With some absentee
ballots yet uncounted, Aisha Carr and Dana Kelley led in District 4; and Alex
Brower and Jilly Gokalgandhi led in District 5. Brower and Kelley ran
on a socialist slate together backed by the teachers union. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/02/16/wisconsin-primary-kerr-and-underly-advance-superintendent-race/6772776002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/02/16/wisconsin-primary-kerr-and-underly-advance-superintendent-race/6772776002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PIAA notebook: Board
passes motion requiring all participants to wear masks for state playoffs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">STEVE
ROTSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:srotstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">srotstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> FEB 17, 2021 6:48 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The PIAA
board of directors addressed a number of topics during Wednesday’s Zoom
meeting, including one pressing issue that’s been on everybody’s minds going
into the postseason — mask enforcement. For the upcoming PIAA postseason
tournaments for all winter sports, teams will be required to complete and
submit a COVID-19 screening form and face covering certification form prior to
competing. The screening form will ask participants whether they’ve experienced
any recent COVID-19 related symptoms, and the certification form will allow
schools to list any players who have been granted medical exemptions to play
without wearing a mask. PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi said the forms
will not be required for playoff games at the district level, but will be available
for any schools that wish to use them. “It provides communication between the
schools so they know who has taken the exception, and also that they have
pre-screened all their athletes,” Lombardi said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2021/02/17/piaa-notebook-bob-lombardi-mask-mandate-covid-19-screening-form-face-covering-certification-state-playoffs-giant-center-cumberland-valley/stories/202102170152"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2021/02/17/piaa-notebook-bob-lombardi-mask-mandate-covid-19-screening-form-face-covering-certification-state-playoffs-giant-center-cumberland-valley/stories/202102170152</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tentative contract
agreement reached, Mars school district and teachers union say<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Post Gazette
by Sandy Trozzo, freelance writer: </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:suburbanliving@post-gazette.com" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">suburbanliving@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.First Published February 17, 2021, 10:24pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Mars
Area School Board and Mars Area Education Association have reached a tentative
agreement, according to a joint statement issued by John L. Kennedy, board
president, and Joe Graff, president of the teachers’ union, Wednesday night.
The statement said that both parties will finalize the contract language for
ratification votes within the next couple of weeks. The teachers’ union planned
to strike Friday if an agreement was not reached by then. The two sides had
held 18 bargaining sessions, including a 5.5-hour session Tuesday night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/17/Mars-school-district-teachers-union-tentative-contract-agreement-strike-deadline/stories/202102170165"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/17/Mars-school-district-teachers-union-tentative-contract-agreement-strike-deadline/stories/202102170165</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Is it safe to open
schools? Yes, but ...<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Washington Post
By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/laura-meckler/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Laura
Meckler</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/karin-brulliard/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Karin
Brulliard</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/brittany-shammas/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Brittany
Shammas</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb. 17, 2021 at 7:32 p.m. EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">For months,
school districts throughout the country have struggled with whether and how to
reopen buildings that, in some cases, have been shuttered for nearly a year.
With bullish talk and promised support, President Biden raised expectations
that reopenings would accelerate this spring. The stakes are enormous. Going
back is frightening for many teachers and parents, especially with </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/?itid=lk_inline_manual_5" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">coronavirus</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> rates remaining at high levels and new
variants of the virus emerging. And yet the negative consequences of all-remote
learning are significant, too. Children are </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/students-falling-behind/2020/12/06/88d7157a-3665-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_5" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">forfeiting academic progress</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/11/27/remote-learning-emotional-toll/?arc404=true&itid=lk_inline_manual_5" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">struggling emotionally</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Some parents are unable to work while their
children are at home. But sorting out the science of the matter has been
complicated for administrators and parents. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/cdc-school-reopen-guidelines/2021/02/12/43a1acb6-6cea-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_6" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> weighed in last week </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">with a detailed </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">set of guidelines </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">that answered many questions but raised
others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/17/covid-schools-open/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/17/covid-schools-open/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join Education Voters
for "PA School Funding and Advocacy 101" for an overview of school
funding issues, an update on the school funding lawsuit and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education Voters
PA February 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBsf4ZYzSjHQotKU9fctMXueT4tIVsWnfxA5KIoH1a1blYsQI6NfAppx9sHw8VkWna9o9ZXYHP2BoDZOH1OFxbbX41JRJR7WPTrFHXRpwGdKKcReeL27GN2aYhIwIxKh1tGPVC6Q2lq6LwrlYR7HkhtKPlkYL5VUPNcvNrEFrnxNJQcSs3JGdjyCJE5G9Ut6Kf0y1_8oS4nN-8tk8kT0ylvttUNR7evp4E4o5-dmTgXGqDCLm50qApXXUDGHHFzSfnbrg4e77McMaocPdfifQPvy604HHz-nyPLZYbfymOnaN0lY8qI6H1ZbU59nfGqy7RA/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h0/RFIujnIucVPZcAxWCDd9dvYpeu45LrldYUnSKrwiFw0" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click HERE to register for one of our webinars.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBul7aAK-SyyN1zlkoRZVLuw-V4_Xs6XqhTz35y2MjlP-hfF4QT-b4VA0ZeDzrrR_HLLQLBXb7fp9JTYn_1WPtcPeN8RqrCrPyrxZr6sEoi4vTzdwpyxx0lb2o9fAEvGac1nAvWTY8gJ2aX7Ob1-_b0k8RiKmLvlZS29rAwH62J-M-dC65E9EVuaa4qkmbeu_Gr4hUoa-8RBXph3ZZGgX48dA-UxfqhWJxYqAC6h1V-PAI3eKyDB_ciCJ-_j6Kw31pkJUl4kP-RL9tUHDKX5dcBL6bWesdizcLKCDzaSqCk0G9TlnX98lPGblYCzPWFKBrQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h1/2gzHGDjVwjD08afs6C5jf0xkj8HnsYaPBf8doV4rtr8" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fri, Feb 19, 12:00pm–1:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBvPlr5Lhe7VyjvTMsACqI6hN80lfRHnXzxXKqijIwkzuHRWr9YJX4tQ4f6w0Vyf5VLKag9ORVgKIjb203acgAyhAfAUhZEjfZmBttGv9-PPxc9J7DspjawdLQJ4RG7UdwXFDOT0CHR3MclsdrhvmwHcRQko1IuRmD6UUAq-ZnOwlBL1RuKEcX21hRNg0Ny57HGdm0hRQIoeyR8GlG_Hy9B4jVk_wfHfw448nrv8skTcIJZVQnE5z3P9-ygdBzaddVxg_Qzc0TQqfXvhYVqf9zPFU_iAd45amhp-tK6iS7r3RulLeae26eaSUrguM6ZUlIQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h2/qL3BFc3Ac9vS-NKMR017B0XujuL-LTtOv6S-WP6HbcQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tue, Feb 23, 7:00pm–8:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Questions we
will answer include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are schools funded in PA?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who decides how much funding my local
schools get?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What is the Basic Education Funding
Formula (fair funding formula)?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why does Pennsylvania have the widest
funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the
country?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are charter schools funded and how
can the current system be reformed?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can I most effectively advocate for
the school funding students in my district and throughout Pennsylvania's
need and deserve?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">We will also
provide a brief update on Pennsylvania's school funding lawsuit, which is
scheduled to go to trial this year. (Visit </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.fundourschoolspa.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">www.FundOurSchoolsPa.org</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to learn more!) And we'll have plenty
of time for Q&A. I hope that you'll join us and/or </span></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBnf-hO61lH1PBhIi1ESit1rZnE4LvcrbH8lVi-J80su-DIH4IhllmK3nFOqo2yFSj4tBdp56lR0PxUWB_VqRwsSLjiEw6-EjNn0kufLnsZX1MWtXeDpQmLw5eY1ECIBlgPD92gGgQ33PdKbleo4ESaqYhUMCE6pDBhRh1VmlnWD894rln_GcYzh_4clPvc-2ixMMJkrmXwTfWjU-8IxzIuwmrRoQPCaLRQ8mKb6vrY6aEJYeLxnx1HuTJJfhfJ1KF1jWHRYIWPHxZHTsaAXIQGM-CTmAdIyyJqJv9eDWOptLdOaUrxqzsMGBiJgg7nXGtQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h3/lvPp3JascrbLND9UugezNT2NETz9kDgR2dqA0HRZMcc" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">share this invitation</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">with people in your network who are
interested in learning more and getting involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST GROVE—There
will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on Wednesday,
Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>2021 PA
Educational Leadership Summit</b>, hosted by the<i> PA Principals
Association</i> and the <i>PA Association of School Administrators
(PASA)</i>, is being held from <b>August 1-3 at the Kalahari Resorts and
Convention Center, Poconos</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA
Principals Association Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:54 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PIL Hours
Available! See links below to register and for further information.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://ppa13.wildapricot.org/event-4167130" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click
here to register today!</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/summit21/Datesaver%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click here for the informational flyer and details</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">358 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"></a><a name="_Hlk64350980"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-61492817381224817812021-02-17T08:39:00.000-05:002021-02-17T08:39:50.378-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 17, 2021: Pennsylvania needs charter school reform [opinion]<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania needs
charter school reform [opinion]<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Congratulations to #359 Wattsburg Area School District
for passing the charter funding reform resolution. Thank you </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/HeatherBScott" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@HeatherBScott</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Representative Curt Sonney, </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/senatorlaughlin" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@senatorlaughlin</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and Senator Michele Brooks. </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/7FIA9NQ95i" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://t.co/7FIA9NQ95i</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania needs
charter school reform [opinion]<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lancaster
Online Opinion by DAMARIS RAU and EDITH GALLAGHER | Special to LNP |
Lancasteronline February 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">We
appreciate LNP | LancasterOnline’s recent editorial </span></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/fair-increased-funding-for-pennsylvania-schools-is-2021-budgets-biggest-priority-editorial/article_0c9ea23c-6745-11eb-b1d6-efa51fcd96d0.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(“Children first,” Feb. 5</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">) calling on state lawmakers to “fairly,
equitably and adequately fund education.” We have been advocating for this for
many years. And, like the Editorial Board, we recognize the political
challenges of finding sustainable revenue sources to meet this need. One-time
boosts will not help the School District of Lancaster deal with its structural
deficit. That’s why we are writing today in support of a secondary element in
Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal, but one that can have a significant long-term impact
— charter school reform. First, we want to reiterate what we have long said: We
are not opposed to school choice. Our school district has a long partnership
with a charter school in our community, La Academia, and we have considered
others. We believe every child deserves an excellent education. However,
Pennsylvania’s 25-year-old charter school law is failing children, parents and
taxpayers. Charter schools are public schools, funded by local school
districts, and the costs of these schools are skyrocketing. It is draining
funding from traditional schools at a time when we can least afford it. Our
district is facing a deficit of about $13 million for the 2021-2022 school
year, and we project this deficit to continue to grow in the coming years. Our
charter school payments are up $2.5 million this year alone, driven by a 65%
increase in students attending cybercharter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/pennsylvania-needs-charter-school-reform-opinion/article_2a40534a-708b-11eb-bc5a-2b891a9c5f05.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/pennsylvania-needs-charter-school-reform-opinion/article_2a40534a-708b-11eb-bc5a-2b891a9c5f05.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scranton school
directors plan to strengthen fight for fair funding from state<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 16, 2021 Updated 1 hr ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When it
comes to fair education funding, it’s time to fight. With the Scranton School District
facing a funding inequity of more than $3,200 per student and the issue now in
the spotlight thanks to the governor’s budget proposal, school directors said
they will increase advocacy efforts and community involvement. “Each one of us
can have a voice, but it’s more powerful when we can come across as a united
force,” board Vice President Catherine Fox said during a virtual funding
workshop Tuesday night. Volunteers from the Pennsylvanians for Fair Funding
coalition outlined why many advocates call the state’s funding system the worst
in the country. Those issues include using district demographics from 1992 to
distribute nearly 90% of state funding, and the over reliance on local property
taxes, which leads to large disparities in funding in high-wealth and
low-wealth districts. Pennsylvania created a fair funding formula six years ago
to distribute money in a way that reflects a district’s needs, factoring in
student enrollment, the needs of the student population and district wealth and
capacity to raise local revenues. But that formula only applies to new
investments the state makes in basic education funding. In his 2021-22 budget
proposal this month, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed putting all funding through the
formula. Since that would cause more than half of the state’s 500 districts to
receive a lower allotment, Wolf seeks another $1.15 billion so no school
receives less next year. The proposal is funded through an increase in the
personal income tax rate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-directors-plan-to-strengthen-fight-for-fair-funding-from-state/article_b4955de7-92dd-5a40-b506-0adfd26c3a76.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-directors-plan-to-strengthen-fight-for-fair-funding-from-state/article_b4955de7-92dd-5a40-b506-0adfd26c3a76.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fair funding would
level field for NEPA schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yahoo News
by Sarah Hofius Hall And Kent Jackson, Standard-Speaker, Hazleton, Pa.Tue,
February 16, 2021, 1:09 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Feb. 16—Fair
funding in Hazleton Area School District could mean a larger career center,
smaller classes, a special education program for local students who now travel
beyond the district for instruction and a field house for indoor sports and the
prom. Scranton School District with fair funding could update its curriculum,
create a science and math academy and attract and retain a high-quality staff. In
Carbondale, the district could offer more electives, provide tutoring and
restore cuts made to art and family and consumer sciences. At Riverside,
libraries could become innovative labs and the district could find additional
ways to help students prepare for life after graduation. The way Pennsylvania
funds school districts, which Gov. Tom Wolf and public education advocates call
one of the most unfair systems in the country, makes it difficult for districts
to achieve those goals. The 2021-22 state budget proposed by the governor this
month aims to fix that. Just the proposal and the debate surrounding it
highlights and exposes the inequities in a way not done before on a statewide
level, experts say. Wolf's plan would provide an additional $159 million to
school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania by putting all funding through a
formula designed to increase equity and assist the students who need the most
help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://news.yahoo.com/fair-funding-level-field-nepa-060900317.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKBIag5ENzSj_E82eomXcGFsGAkTaplTE-l3VdqDovtKDPkN6DyjYFEQjykJPteq7Cga1Y_E5jw9anDW8TfmnXvYRXulIIiZ8CjhIrneed0fi_gndpD2tQ9O9YixMc1z5ITKzXteTNv16nLXJ52KhzCFhYz9TWJ33KsZfALEtrI_"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://news.yahoo.com/fair-funding-level-field-nepa-060900317.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKBIag5ENzSj_E82eomXcGFsGAkTaplTE-l3VdqDovtKDPkN6DyjYFEQjykJPteq7Cga1Y_E5jw9anDW8TfmnXvYRXulIIiZ8CjhIrneed0fi_gndpD2tQ9O9YixMc1z5ITKzXteTNv16nLXJ52KhzCFhYz9TWJ33KsZfALEtrI_</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Funding formula is
the problem (letter)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lancaster
Online Letter by Lauren VonStetten, School board director, Columbia Borough
School District Feb 16, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Regarding
the Feb. 8 LNP | LancasterOnline article </span></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-school-district-calls-for-reform-after-it-says-it-could-have-saved-300-000/article_f5dbaebc-6a6b-11eb-b1d6-677b629bbc75.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Columbia school district calls for reform after it says it could have
saved $300,000 in cybercharter tuition”</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">: The district did not wastefully spend that
money. In reality, the district was required to pay an extra $300,000 because
the state has neglected to change the 24-year-old charter school funding
formula. Cybercharter tuitions are based on a school district’s expenses. This
then creates huge discrepancies in the tuition amount paid from district to
district for the exact same charter school education. Perhaps a better headline
would have been “Columbia Borough School District, already shortchanged $5,330
per student in Basic Education Funding, calls for reform after being forced by
the state to pay an extra $300,000 in cybercharter tuitions.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/funding-formula-is-the-problem-letter/article_9620be6a-6c9e-11eb-aecf-73189975430c.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/funding-formula-is-the-problem-letter/article_9620be6a-6c9e-11eb-aecf-73189975430c.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New Philly Charter
Application: Empowerment Charter School<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alliance for
Philadelphia Public Schools Opinion by Deborah Grill February 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">There are 86
charter schools in Philadelphia. Despite their claims, few if any can be
described as” innovative”. The majority perform academically as well as or
worse than District schools despite </span></span></span></span><a href="https://dianeravitch.net/2020/04/13/david-berliner-how-successful-charter-schools-cull-and-skim-students-they-dont-want/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">their
ability to cherry-pick students.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> They boast that they provide choice for
parents or students, but in reality the choice lies in the schools’ ability,
through barriers to enrollment and lack of due process, to choose who
they admit and who they allow to stay. They </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/charter-schools-philadelphia-special-education-costs-20200221.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">service
fewer students with severe disabilities than the District</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> but are compensated according to the
District’s average costs to educate its larger population of needier, more
expensive special-education students. District students will never get
the resources they need as long as the District is spending a large portion of
its budget on charter schools. The District cannot afford this charter
school. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://appsphilly.net/new-charter-application-empowerment-charter-school/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://appsphilly.net/new-charter-application-empowerment-charter-school/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. legislature
bickers over budget plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sharon
Herald By JOHN FINNERTY CNHI State Reporter February 16, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG —
State lawmakers kicked off budget hearings on Tuesday bickering over whether to
act upon Gov. Tom Wolf’s signature budget proposal -- a revamp of the personal
income tax that would generate about $3.5 billion by increasing taxes on those
who earn more and cutting taxes on lower-income individuals and families. Stan
Saylor, R-York County, the chairman of the House appropriations committee,
dismissed the proposal as “unrealistic.” Republicans hold majorities in both
chambers of the General Assembly and have dismissed Wolf’s plan as unworkable. Democrats
countered that the proposal is needed to provide tax relief for more working
people while also generating a needed infusion of state funding for schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">State Rep.
Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery County, said that the current year’s budget was
balanced with one-time revenue and even if the federal government provides
another round of COVID relief, lawmakers need to come up with a plan to balance
the state budget without a federal bailout. Bradford is the Democratic chairman
of the House appropriations committee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania’s
current personal income tax law provides for tax forgiveness for families of
four with income up to $34,500, but those income levels were set in 2003, said
state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.sharonherald.com/news/pa-legislature-bickers-over-budget-plan/article_4a4e5070-7006-5f15-979e-921baeeba5b2.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.sharonherald.com/news/pa-legislature-bickers-over-budget-plan/article_4a4e5070-7006-5f15-979e-921baeeba5b2.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Guest Column:
Governor Tom Wolf explains his budget priorities<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Delco Times By
Tom Wolf Times Guest Columnist February 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">I want to
lower taxes for working families in Pennsylvania. I know that in the days since
my budget address you’ve probably heard a whole lot from other
people about my plan – what they like, what they hate, what they wish I
had said instead. This year, because of the pandemic, I
pre-recorded my budget address. Usually I give the speech live, to the members
of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, but this year it just wasn’t the safe or
right thing to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when
I thought about it, I realized that recording my budget address this year gave
me an opportunity to speak directly to the people of Pennsylvania, not just to
legislators in Harrisburg. This budget address is for you, and I
hope you’ve </span></span></span></span><a href="https://pacast.com/m?p=18468" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">seen it</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. But I also know that long-winded speeches
about budgets and legislative agendas aren’t exactly everyone’s idea of a good
time. So for those who haven’t seen my address, I want you to hear it from
me: this year, I think lawmakers in Harrisburg need to lower taxes
for businesses and working families in Pennsylvania. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/guest-column-governor-tom-wolf-explains-his-budget-priorities/article_fef2ed98-70bb-11eb-844e-470d5bfaee4a.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/guest-column-governor-tom-wolf-explains-his-budget-priorities/article_fef2ed98-70bb-11eb-844e-470d5bfaee4a.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York County schools
in dark about teacher vaccinations<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erin
Bamer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Dispatch February 16, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly a
year after the COVID-19 pandemic turned public education on its ear and about
two months after the first U.S. vaccine was administered, several York County
school districts say they're in the dark about when their staffs will get the
shots. Officials from at least seven local school districts said they
have received little or no word from state officials so far about the vaccine. Northern
York County School District Superintendent Steven Kirkpatrick said a
vaccination provider estimated educators wouldn't have access to the vaccine
until about April 1. York Suburban School District appears to be the only
district in the county that is making any progress toward securing
the vaccine. Superintendent Timothy Williams said during a board
meeting this month that he is working with a local pharmacy company to get
the vaccine distributed to staff members. Williams would not mention the
name of the company at the meeting, and he said he did not know when the
district would receive the vaccine. A York Suburban official said Tuesday that
there are no updates on the process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/16/york-county-schools-dark-teacher-vaccinations/6767692002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/16/york-county-schools-dark-teacher-vaccinations/6767692002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mayor says
Philadelphia teachers should not be disciplined if they don’t show up<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 16, 2021, 4:51pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mayor Jim
Kenney strongly suggested during a news conference Tuesday that teachers should
not be disciplined if they do not show up to work for the proposed reopening
Monday over COVID-19 safety concerns. “I don’t want to see anybody
disciplined,” Kenney said during the virtual press conference, providing
updates on the city’s handling of the virus. “I don’t want to do this in a
punitive way. We’ve all been through a lot within the last year and everybody
is scared, everybody is stressed. And you’re more likely to add to that stress
by disciplining people. I don’t think that gets us anywhere and maybe forebodes
a longer term problem with managing staff personnel.” Kenney’s comments Tuesday
appeared to conflict with Superintendent William Hite’s statement earlier this
month that “disciplinary action will be taken” against teachers who don’t
return to work in school buildings. The declaration was made after Philadelphia
Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan told teachers not to show up to
work on Feb. 8 over safety concerns around the vaccine and ventilation. The
details of Hite’s punishment were not made clear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/16/22286260/mayor-says-philadelphia-teachers-should-not-be-disciplined-if-they-dont-show-up"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/16/22286260/mayor-says-philadelphia-teachers-should-not-be-disciplined-if-they-dont-show-up</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 ways teachers can
address their students’ trauma when school is virtual | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Crystal
Peralta, For The Inquirer Posted: February 16, 2021 - 10:37 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Crystal
Peralta is a sixth-grade ELA teacher in her eighth year teaching at KIPP
Whittier Middle School in Camden. She attended New Jersey City University,
where she completed an undergraduate teaching degree, and has a master’s degree
from Liberty University.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">In
classrooms across the U.S. — virtual or in-person — teachers are faced with an
enormous challenge: foster the academic learning process while also addressing
the social-emotional needs of students during a highly traumatic period in
history. With the continued pandemic and racial tensions, students are
experiencing higher levels of stress than in previous years, and their
emotional well-being undoubtedly influences their ability to focus and engage
in their learning. As a longtime educator, I have realized that effective
teaching relies on my knowledge of how to address the many forms of trauma my
students experience outside of the classroom as much as within the school. In
Camden, where I have the privilege of teaching, nearly </span></span></span></span><a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/camden-nj-population"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">37%</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of residents live below the poverty
level, and the pandemic has exacerbated the area’s food insecurity, leaving
more than </span></span></span></span><a href="https://foodbanksj.org/about-hunger-in-south-jersey/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">60,000
local residents</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> without a stable source for nourishment
— more than 17,200 of those being children. How are students supposed to focus
on learning when their stomachs are grumbling for a meal?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/trauma-education-teachers-students-camden-20210216.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/trauma-education-teachers-students-camden-20210216.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How public schools
fail to recognize Black prodigies | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By Donna
Ford </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Donna Ford
is a special education professor at Ohio State University. She wrote this piece
for The Conversation, where it first appeared.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Amid </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/30/arts/why-are-black-students-lagging.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">numerous
articles</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> about how Black students </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chronicle.com/article/nearly-half-of-undergraduates-are-students-of-color-but-black-students-lag-behind/?cid2=gen_login_refresh&cid=gen_sign_in"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">lag
behind others</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in educational achievement,
occasionally you may hear about a young Black “</span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2071591338699/young-black-kings-this-12-year-old-prodigy-is-an-aerospace-engineering-major-in-college"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">prodigy</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">” who </span></i></span></span></span><a href="http://babyandblog.com/2014/07/8-black-kids-who-completed-high-school-and-entered-college-at-an-early-age/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">got
accepted into college at an early age</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. According to Donna Y. Ford, an education
professor at Ohio State University, there could be far more Black prodigies.
But it would take the right support from families, who may not be familiar with
some of the characteristics of gifted students and the existence of gifted
programs, and educators, who often overlook the talents of Black students.
Indeed, while Black students represent </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://ocrdata.ed.gov/estimations/2013-2014"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">15.5 percent</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of the student population in the U.S.,
they represent only </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://ocrdata.ed.gov/estimations/2013-2014"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">9.9</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> percent of all students in gifted
and talented programs. In the following interview with education editor Jamaal
Abdul-Alim, Ford – who has been a consultant for Black families thinking about
sending their gifted children to college early – argues that public schools are
holding back Black talent rather than cultivating it. The interview has been
edited for clarity and brevity.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/how-public-schools-fail-to-recognize-black-prodigies-opinion/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/how-public-schools-fail-to-recognize-black-prodigies-opinion/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Superintendent:
Greater Latrobe no longer bound by strict school closure benchmarks<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/jeff-himler/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JEFF
HIMLER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Tuesday, February
16, 2021 11:51 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Greater
Latrobe School District officials say they’ll have greater flexibility in
assessing the need for covid-related school closures now that Westmoreland
County has completed two consecutive weeks in the moderate level for community
transmission of the coronavirus. According to Superintendent Georgia Teppert,
the county’s return to a moderate transmission level after many weeks at
substantial levels means the district no longer is bound by a state-determined
minimum number of covid cases requiring closure of schools that offer some
level of in-person instruction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/superintendent-greater-latrobe-no-longer-bound-by-strict-school-closure-benchmarks/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/superintendent-greater-latrobe-no-longer-bound-by-strict-school-closure-benchmarks/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania
Interscholastic Esports Association opens registration for 2021 season<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/julia-felton/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JULIA
FELTON</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Tuesday, February
16, 2021 6:10 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association (PIEA) announced registration
is open for its 2021 season, which will offer high school esports teams the
opportunity to compete for Pennsylvania’s first high school esports
championship. The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.interscholasticesports.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PIEA</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> was established in 2019 as the only
statewide interscholastic esports league. “The PIEA is the first organizational
governing body that focuses solely on esports competitions in high schools in
Pennsylvania,” said Bill Thomas, a member of PIEA’s board of directors. Thomas
said it offers regulatory structure for high school esports competitions and
serves as the only entity with a path to a state championship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-interscholastic-esports-association-opens-registration-for-2021-season/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-interscholastic-esports-association-opens-registration-for-2021-season/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden reframes his
goal on reopening of elementary schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Delco Times By
AAMER MADHANI and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press February 17, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">MILWAUKEE
(AP) — President Joe Biden is promising a majority of elementary schools will
be open five days a week by the end of his first 100 days in office, restating
his goal after his administration came under fire when aides said schools would
be considered open if they held in-person learning just </span></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-us-news-coronavirus-pandemic-jen-psaki-6de489a8be366b836067a6acd8528912" target="—blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">one day a week</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Biden's
comments, during a CNN town hall in Milwaukee, marked his clearest statement
yet on school reopenings. Biden had </span></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-coronavirus-pandemic-80275870d7fca89bd38992a611b26616" target="—blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">pledged in December</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to
reopen “the majority of our schools” in his first 100 days but has since faced
increasing questions about how he would define and achieve that goal, with
school districts operating under a patchwork of different virtual and in-person
learning arrangements nationwide. “I said open a majority of schools in K
through eighth grade, because they’re the easiest to open, the most needed to
be open in terms of the impact on children and families having to stay
home," Biden said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/news/national/biden-reframes-his-goal-on-reopening-of-elementary-schools/article_1075b872-2617-5a7c-81d1-18a43c63f6ec.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.delcotimes.com/news/national/biden-reframes-his-goal-on-reopening-of-elementary-schools/article_1075b872-2617-5a7c-81d1-18a43c63f6ec.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Disowning Past White
House Remarks, Biden Says He Wants Many Schools Open Five Days a Week<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 16, 2021 3 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">President
Joe Biden made the case on a national stage Tuesday for schools to reopen their
doors with appropriate safeguards against the coronavirus through smaller class
sizes and proper protective equipment, and also pushed for teachers to get high
priority for receiving the vaccine. In a town hall event in Milwaukee broadcast
by CNN, Biden also repudiated </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/is-biden-lowering-the-bar-for-what-reopening-schools-means/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">comments
from White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> last week that schools holding
in-person classes one day a week would count toward the Biden administration’s
goal of having most K-8 schools open by April 30 (a goal that data indicate
might have already been met under that standard). Calling her comments “a mistake
in the communication” that did not accurately reflect his administration’s
position, Biden stressed that his goal is for those schools to open five days a
week after 100 days and said he thinks schools will get “close to that.” He
also raised the possibility that schools might operate during the summer to
help students recover from the pandemic’s effects. That’s an idea that tracks
with </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/summer-school-extended-learning-a-priority-in-129-billion-covid-19-relief-bill/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">key
elements</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of congressional Democrats’ latest
COVID-19 relief bill, although the extent to which districts end up expanding
summer school or other extended learning programs will depend on several
factors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/disowning-past-white-house-remarks-biden-says-he-wants-many-schools-open-five-days-a-week/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/disowning-past-white-house-remarks-biden-says-he-wants-many-schools-open-five-days-a-week/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All School Directors:
PSBA Monthly Zoom Exchange Feb 18 12:30 - 1:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join other
PSBA-member school directors for cross-district networking and discussion on
education hot topics, legislative updates and advocacy strategies. All School
Directors: Monthly Exchange will be held via Zoom at 12:30 p.m. every third
Thursday of the month, January through June. Geographic-based breakout rooms
will be utilized to allow for discussion among school directors in the same
regions of the state. Learn more or register: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/tW7LtzMcuN?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://ow.ly/rW4F50DrrCq</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join Education Voters
for "PA School Funding and Advocacy 101" for an overview of school
funding issues, an update on the school funding lawsuit and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education Voters
PA February 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBsf4ZYzSjHQotKU9fctMXueT4tIVsWnfxA5KIoH1a1blYsQI6NfAppx9sHw8VkWna9o9ZXYHP2BoDZOH1OFxbbX41JRJR7WPTrFHXRpwGdKKcReeL27GN2aYhIwIxKh1tGPVC6Q2lq6LwrlYR7HkhtKPlkYL5VUPNcvNrEFrnxNJQcSs3JGdjyCJE5G9Ut6Kf0y1_8oS4nN-8tk8kT0ylvttUNR7evp4E4o5-dmTgXGqDCLm50qApXXUDGHHFzSfnbrg4e77McMaocPdfifQPvy604HHz-nyPLZYbfymOnaN0lY8qI6H1ZbU59nfGqy7RA/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h0/RFIujnIucVPZcAxWCDd9dvYpeu45LrldYUnSKrwiFw0" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click HERE to register for one of our webinars.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBul7aAK-SyyN1zlkoRZVLuw-V4_Xs6XqhTz35y2MjlP-hfF4QT-b4VA0ZeDzrrR_HLLQLBXb7fp9JTYn_1WPtcPeN8RqrCrPyrxZr6sEoi4vTzdwpyxx0lb2o9fAEvGac1nAvWTY8gJ2aX7Ob1-_b0k8RiKmLvlZS29rAwH62J-M-dC65E9EVuaa4qkmbeu_Gr4hUoa-8RBXph3ZZGgX48dA-UxfqhWJxYqAC6h1V-PAI3eKyDB_ciCJ-_j6Kw31pkJUl4kP-RL9tUHDKX5dcBL6bWesdizcLKCDzaSqCk0G9TlnX98lPGblYCzPWFKBrQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h1/2gzHGDjVwjD08afs6C5jf0xkj8HnsYaPBf8doV4rtr8" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fri, Feb 19, 12:00pm–1:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBvPlr5Lhe7VyjvTMsACqI6hN80lfRHnXzxXKqijIwkzuHRWr9YJX4tQ4f6w0Vyf5VLKag9ORVgKIjb203acgAyhAfAUhZEjfZmBttGv9-PPxc9J7DspjawdLQJ4RG7UdwXFDOT0CHR3MclsdrhvmwHcRQko1IuRmD6UUAq-ZnOwlBL1RuKEcX21hRNg0Ny57HGdm0hRQIoeyR8GlG_Hy9B4jVk_wfHfw448nrv8skTcIJZVQnE5z3P9-ygdBzaddVxg_Qzc0TQqfXvhYVqf9zPFU_iAd45amhp-tK6iS7r3RulLeae26eaSUrguM6ZUlIQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h2/qL3BFc3Ac9vS-NKMR017B0XujuL-LTtOv6S-WP6HbcQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tue, Feb 23, 7:00pm–8:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Questions we
will answer include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are schools funded in PA?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who decides how much funding my local
schools get?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What is the Basic Education Funding
Formula (fair funding formula)?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why does Pennsylvania have the widest
funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the
country?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are charter schools funded and how
can the current system be reformed?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can I most effectively advocate for
the school funding students in my district and throughout Pennsylvania's
need and deserve?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">We will also
provide a brief update on Pennsylvania's school funding lawsuit, which is
scheduled to go to trial this year. (Visit </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.fundourschoolspa.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">www.FundOurSchoolsPa.org</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to learn more!) And we'll have plenty
of time for Q&A. I hope that you'll join us and/or </span></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBnf-hO61lH1PBhIi1ESit1rZnE4LvcrbH8lVi-J80su-DIH4IhllmK3nFOqo2yFSj4tBdp56lR0PxUWB_VqRwsSLjiEw6-EjNn0kufLnsZX1MWtXeDpQmLw5eY1ECIBlgPD92gGgQ33PdKbleo4ESaqYhUMCE6pDBhRh1VmlnWD894rln_GcYzh_4clPvc-2ixMMJkrmXwTfWjU-8IxzIuwmrRoQPCaLRQ8mKb6vrY6aEJYeLxnx1HuTJJfhfJ1KF1jWHRYIWPHxZHTsaAXIQGM-CTmAdIyyJqJv9eDWOptLdOaUrxqzsMGBiJgg7nXGtQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h3/lvPp3JascrbLND9UugezNT2NETz9kDgR2dqA0HRZMcc" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">share this invitation</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">with people in your network who are
interested in learning more and getting involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST GROVE—There
will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on Wednesday,
Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>2021 PA
Educational Leadership Summit</b>, hosted by the<i> PA Principals
Association</i> and the <i>PA Association of School Administrators
(PASA)</i>, is being held from <b>August 1-3 at the Kalahari Resorts and
Convention Center, Poconos</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA
Principals Association Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:54 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PIL Hours
Available! See links below to register and for further information.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://ppa13.wildapricot.org/event-4167130" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click
here to register today!</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/summit21/Datesaver%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click here for the informational flyer and details</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">358 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"></a><a name="_Hlk64350980"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-41164798434979872882021-02-16T08:47:00.000-05:002021-02-16T08:47:28.051-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 16, 2021: Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 16, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Curwensville
directors approve resolution calling for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Clearfield Progress
News </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:By%20Dianne%20Byers%20dbyers@theprogressnews.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">By
Dianne Byers dbyers@theprogressnews.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CURWENSVILLE
— Curwensville Area School Board called for charter school legislation reform
at Thursday’s combined work session and business meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with boards from Centre and Clinton
counties, Curwensville’s directors joined other Clearfield County public
schools in adopting a resolution calling for equitable funding for charter
schools. Superintendent Ron Matchock said when introducing the resolution to
the board, “We in education have been kicking this around for years. We are not
saying cyber education isn’t good, we’re saying the way it is funded is unfair.
Public schools have expenses for their buildings and student transportation.
Cyber schools don’t have this,” he explained. Matchock said public schools were
prepared in 2019-20 school years to protest cyber school funding, but then
schools shut down to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The push
has started again…Clearfield, Centre and Clinton counties plan to take the
resolution to Capitol Days in March and meet with legislators. This is so
important. We are not saying cyber education is bad, we are just asking it be
funded in a fair way,” Matchock said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.theprogressnews.com/progress_news/curwensville-directors-approve-resolution-calling-for-charter-school-funding-reform/article_1ac77ba9-d205-5df0-b874-bfe21e462622.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://www.theprogressnews.com/progress_news/curwensville-directors-approve-resolution-calling-for-charter-school-funding-reform/article_1ac77ba9-d205-5df0-b874-bfe21e462622.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">358 adopted charter
reform resolutions<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website
February 15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now more
than ever, there is a growing momentum from school officials across the state
to call for charter school funding reform. Legislators are hearing loud and
clear that school districts need relief from the unfair funding system that
results in school districts overpaying millions of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. This list will be updated regularly.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk64351022"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for
Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64351022;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64351022;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Schools Work: Lunch
& Learn Webinar: A Deep Dive on the Budget Tuesday, February 16 at
noon. <br />
</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Don't forget
that our next Lunch & Learn webinar, where we will explain the
details of the education components of Governor Wolf's budget
proposal, will be held <a name="_Hlk64351504"><b>Tuesday, February 16
at noon. </b></a></span></span></span></span><a href="https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4209576337238986766" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">You can register for the webinar here. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></span><a href="https://paschoolswork.org/resources/webinars/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">You
can view archived videos of all our webinars here. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<i>Budget Resources: </i></span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">You can access a few documents that might be
helpful in understanding Governor Wolf's budget proposal here:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://mcusercontent.com/0a17ee9f29e887a408e1a3de5/files/da0688f5-14c0-4361-a406-00a799996bf4/PASW_BUDGET_101_1_pager_for_2021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Budget 101" document</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://mcusercontent.com/0a17ee9f29e887a408e1a3de5/files/13f8ae5b-856e-4deb-a09e-a1fb66cb44ba/PASW_Legislative_Visit_1Pager_v2.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">One-pager about this year's budget
proposal </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://mailchi.mp/paschoolswork/join-us-wednesday-802538?e=119d26f960"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://mailchi.mp/paschoolswork/join-us-wednesday-802538?e=119d26f960</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. schools would get
hike of more than $1B with Gov. Wolf’s budget, but officials aren’t banking on
cash yet<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/jmurphy/posts.html" title="Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated 5:30 AM; Today 5:30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s bold and aggressive effort to help Pennsylvania’s school districts has
wound up making life more complicated for the administrators who run them. An
injection of this kind of money has superintendents dreaming big dreams, much
like those lottery players have when the Powerball jackpot grows to 10 figures.
The governor’s 2021-22 budget proposal calls for a $1.35 billion increase – the
largest proposed increase in state history – for basic education. That would
bump the total to $8.1 billion. In addition, he is proposing $200 million for
special education, which would push the state funding for this budget line to
nearly $1.4 billion. But Wolf isn’t just proposing an influx of new cash. He
also proposes a different funding formula to more equitably distribute the
money among the 500 school districts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-schools-would-get-hike-of-more-than-1b-with-gov-wolfs-budget-but-officials-arent-banking-on-cash-yet.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-schools-would-get-hike-of-more-than-1b-with-gov-wolfs-budget-but-officials-arent-banking-on-cash-yet.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Readers' Views: Gov.
Wolf's school funding plan is a step forward<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown
Mercury Opinion by Marlene Armato, February 15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As a member
of POWER Interfaith, I applaud Gov. Tom Wolf’s bold proposal to substantially
increase Basic Education Funding and to distribute most of the money through
Pennsylvania’s fair funding formula. This proposal is a huge step in reducing
the systemic racial bias in school funding. Since 2014, POWER Interfaith has
demanded an end to the racial disparities in school funding, which this year
shortchanged school districts educating the highest proportion of Black and
Hispanic students by an average of $2,240 per student compared to their fair
share according to Pennsylvania’s own funding formula (Act 35 of 2016). A
substantial racial disparity will still exist because Gov. Wolf’s proposal also
calls for a special adjustment amount, outside of the fair funding formula, to
ensure that no district gets a decrease in funding. There will still be more
work in future years to eliminate the remaining racial bias.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/opinion/readers-views-gov-wolfs-school-funding-plan-is-a-step-forward/article_01c8b1ba-6fdb-11eb-8c80-fbf250053f3d.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/opinion/readers-views-gov-wolfs-school-funding-plan-is-a-step-forward/article_01c8b1ba-6fdb-11eb-8c80-fbf250053f3d.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Should Pa. increase
education funding by raising taxes? | Pro/Con<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inquirer Commentary
by Laura Boyce and Jennifer Stefano Posted: February 15, 2021 - 9:32 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Laura Boyce
of Teach Plus debates Jennifer Stefano of the Commonwealth Foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Laura Boyce
is the Pennsylvania Executive Director of Teach Plus. lboyce@teachplus.org</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jennifer
Stefano is the vice president and chief strategy officer of the Commonwealth
Foundation. She is the vice chair of Broad and Liberty.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s 2021 budget proposal put education at its center, featuring an extra
$1.5 billion for public schools paid for by raising personal income taxes.
While officials say the plan includes tax credits that would exempt two-thirds
of Pennsylvanians from the tax bump, Republican state legislators immediately
pushed back against what they declared a middle-class tax increase. The
Inquirer turned to the head of a teacher development nonprofit and a
Commonwealth Foundation leader to debate: Should the legislature approve Gov.
Wolf’s plan for education funding?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-taxes-school-funding-tom-wolf-budget-education-20210215.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-taxes-school-funding-tom-wolf-budget-education-20210215.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly should use the
schools reopening debate to fix longer-term problems | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tajma
Cameron, For the Inquirer Posted: February 15, 2021 - 11:43 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">As
author </span></span></span></span><a href="http://adriennemareebrown.net/2017/02/03/living-through-the-unveiling/comment-page-1/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Adrienne
Maree Brown wrote</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, “Things are not getting worse, they are
getting uncovered. We must hold each other tight and continue to pull back the
veil.” For communities of color, COVID-19 has compounded the inequities
prevalent in K-12 schools as virtual instruction has replaced face-to-face
instruction for the foreseeable future. School closures and the transition to
remote learning have resulted in millions of students losing access to
education and crucial health resources. While efforts have been focused on
reopening Philadelphia schools, the district must be as focused on addressing
the issues that were present before the pandemic and its long-term consequences.
COVID-19 has entrenched educational inequities for communities of color. In
November, citing a surge in COVID-19 cases, Philadelphia schools reversed their
decision to reopen school buildings, continuing virtual instruction until a
later date. Ensuring the physical safety of students is paramount, making the
decision to remain virtual during an uncontrolled pandemic prudent and
necessary. But because of the preexisting lack of access to the internet and
other services important for learning environments, students in communities of
color have been disproportionately affected by school closures. Furthermore,
students in need of services such as special education, including one-to-one
care, are at an even greater disadvantage due to distance education. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://webtest.childrensinstitute.net/sites/default/files/documents/COVID-19-and-student-learning-in-the-United-States_FINAL.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">New
evidence</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> shows that the loss of learning caused
by the pandemic may extend beyond the pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philly-school-reopening-safety-buildings-digital-divide-mental-health-20210215.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philly-school-reopening-safety-buildings-digital-divide-mental-health-20210215.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wilkes-Barre Area
expecting schools to reopen in two weeks<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Citizens
Voice </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 15, 2021 Updated 7 hrs ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wilkes-Barre
Area School District Superintendent Brian Costello said Monday he is optimistic
in-person classes will resume March 1, as tentatively planned. During a virtual
school board meeting, Costello noted Luzerne County COVID-19 metrics are
“trending in the right direction, which is definitely good news for our
district.” Test positivity in Luzerne County from Feb. 5 through Thursday was
8.5%, down from 10.4% over the previous seven days, and the county incidence
rate was 174.2 cases per 100,000 residents, down from 215.8. The state
recommends all-virtual learning or a blended model with in-person learning only
for elementary school students for schools in counties with substantial
transmission. The guidance is not a mandate. Substantial transmission is
defined as having a test positivity rate of at least 10% or an incidence rate
of at least 100 new cases per 100,000 residents over seven days. Wilkes-Barre
Area will remain in the fully remote learning mode in February and suspended
in-person classes when Luzerne County moved from moderate to substantial
transmission in late October. The county incidence rate was 138.8 from Oct. 30
to Nov. 5 and surged to 663 from Dec. 11-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-area-expecting-schools-to-reopen-in-two-weeks/article_77b16834-fff2-59ff-94d8-45f6bfacd51d.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-area-expecting-schools-to-reopen-in-two-weeks/article_77b16834-fff2-59ff-94d8-45f6bfacd51d.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Carbondale Area
students head back to the classroom on March 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/kbolus"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
KATHLEEN BOLUS STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 15,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Students in
the Carbondale Area School District will begin a phased return to hybrid,
in-person learning on Monday, March 8. The first to return to their classrooms
the second Monday in March will be prekindergarten to second grade students,
high-incident special education students in kindergarten to 12th grade and
Carbondale Area Achievement Program students. They will be followed by third to
ninth graders on March 15, and finally sophomores, juniors and seniors on March
22, Superintendent Holly Sayre said during Wednesday’s virtual school board
meeting. The students have been learning completely remote since the beginning
of the school year. “Our goal is going to be to maintain the strict protocols
outlined in our health and safety plan, and we believe this is accomplished by
using a measured approach beginning with a small group of students,” Sayre
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/carbondale-area-students-head-back-to-the-classroom-on-march-8/article_fbd88d8d-5c48-53ab-951a-46c14ce136aa.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/carbondale-area-students-head-back-to-the-classroom-on-march-8/article_fbd88d8d-5c48-53ab-951a-46c14ce136aa.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some high schools
change mask policy to avoid WPIAL playoff forfeits<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">MIKE WHITE Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mwhite@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">mwhite@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> FEB 15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some WPIAL
schools still have a policy on masks, not allowing their basketball teams to
play an opponent that doesn’t wear masks in the regular season. But if the mask
issue means forfeiting a WPIAL playoff game, then hold on. Some of those same
schools have reversed field and decided opponents in masks isn’t a must after
all — at least not in the playoffs. The WPIAL will have “open” basketball
tournaments for boys and girls this season, meaning all teams are invited to
participate, regardless of record or number of games played. This is only the
second time in league history that the playoffs have been “open” tournaments.
The other was 1984.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2021/02/15/WPIAL-basketball-playoffs-masks-2021-open-tournament-Amy-Scheuneman/stories/202102150131"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2021/02/15/WPIAL-basketball-playoffs-masks-2021-open-tournament-Amy-Scheuneman/stories/202102150131</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Michael Masch, former
budget secretary of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia budget director, and CFO of city
schools, dies at 70<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/miles_gary/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by Gary Miles</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 15, 2021- 6:23
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Michael
Masch, 70, of Philadelphia, a longtime financial and operations manager for
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and several academic institutions, died Sunday,
Feb. 7, at his home in Washington. The cause of death is pending the results of
laboratory tests. He had been living with diabetes. Well known in political and
academic circles, Mr. Masch served as the secretary of budget and
administration for the state under former Gov. Ed Rendell from 2003-08. He had
been the Philadelphia budget director from 1992-96 when Rendell was mayor, and
later served as the chief financial officer of the School District of
Philadelphia from 2008-12. He also had worked as vice president for budget and
management at the University of Pennsylvania, senior policy analyst and researcher
for the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, and vice president for finance
and chief financial officer at Manhattan College.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/michael-masch-budget-secretary-pennsylvania-philadelphia-school-district-obit-obituary-20210215.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/michael-masch-budget-secretary-pennsylvania-philadelphia-school-district-obit-obituary-20210215.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keith Jarrett - Over
the Rainbow (Tokyo 1984)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube
Runtime 5:27<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyLQGDIrGcI"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyLQGDIrGcI</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All School Directors:
PSBA Monthly Zoom Exchange Feb 18 12:30 - 1:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join other
PSBA-member school directors for cross-district networking and discussion on
education hot topics, legislative updates and advocacy strategies. All School
Directors: Monthly Exchange will be held via Zoom at 12:30 p.m. every third
Thursday of the month, January through June. Geographic-based breakout rooms
will be utilized to allow for discussion among school directors in the same
regions of the state. Learn more or register: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/tW7LtzMcuN?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://ow.ly/rW4F50DrrCq</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join Education Voters
for "PA School Funding and Advocacy 101" for an overview of school
funding issues, an update on the school funding lawsuit and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education Voters
PA February 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBsf4ZYzSjHQotKU9fctMXueT4tIVsWnfxA5KIoH1a1blYsQI6NfAppx9sHw8VkWna9o9ZXYHP2BoDZOH1OFxbbX41JRJR7WPTrFHXRpwGdKKcReeL27GN2aYhIwIxKh1tGPVC6Q2lq6LwrlYR7HkhtKPlkYL5VUPNcvNrEFrnxNJQcSs3JGdjyCJE5G9Ut6Kf0y1_8oS4nN-8tk8kT0ylvttUNR7evp4E4o5-dmTgXGqDCLm50qApXXUDGHHFzSfnbrg4e77McMaocPdfifQPvy604HHz-nyPLZYbfymOnaN0lY8qI6H1ZbU59nfGqy7RA/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h0/RFIujnIucVPZcAxWCDd9dvYpeu45LrldYUnSKrwiFw0" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click HERE to register for one of our webinars.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBul7aAK-SyyN1zlkoRZVLuw-V4_Xs6XqhTz35y2MjlP-hfF4QT-b4VA0ZeDzrrR_HLLQLBXb7fp9JTYn_1WPtcPeN8RqrCrPyrxZr6sEoi4vTzdwpyxx0lb2o9fAEvGac1nAvWTY8gJ2aX7Ob1-_b0k8RiKmLvlZS29rAwH62J-M-dC65E9EVuaa4qkmbeu_Gr4hUoa-8RBXph3ZZGgX48dA-UxfqhWJxYqAC6h1V-PAI3eKyDB_ciCJ-_j6Kw31pkJUl4kP-RL9tUHDKX5dcBL6bWesdizcLKCDzaSqCk0G9TlnX98lPGblYCzPWFKBrQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h1/2gzHGDjVwjD08afs6C5jf0xkj8HnsYaPBf8doV4rtr8" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fri, Feb 19, 12:00pm–1:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBvPlr5Lhe7VyjvTMsACqI6hN80lfRHnXzxXKqijIwkzuHRWr9YJX4tQ4f6w0Vyf5VLKag9ORVgKIjb203acgAyhAfAUhZEjfZmBttGv9-PPxc9J7DspjawdLQJ4RG7UdwXFDOT0CHR3MclsdrhvmwHcRQko1IuRmD6UUAq-ZnOwlBL1RuKEcX21hRNg0Ny57HGdm0hRQIoeyR8GlG_Hy9B4jVk_wfHfw448nrv8skTcIJZVQnE5z3P9-ygdBzaddVxg_Qzc0TQqfXvhYVqf9zPFU_iAd45amhp-tK6iS7r3RulLeae26eaSUrguM6ZUlIQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h2/qL3BFc3Ac9vS-NKMR017B0XujuL-LTtOv6S-WP6HbcQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tue, Feb 23, 7:00pm–8:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Questions we
will answer include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are schools funded in PA?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who decides how much funding my local
schools get?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What is the Basic Education Funding
Formula (fair funding formula)?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why does Pennsylvania have the widest
funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the
country?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are charter schools funded and how
can the current system be reformed?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can I most effectively advocate for
the school funding students in my district and throughout Pennsylvania's
need and deserve?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">We will also
provide a brief update on Pennsylvania's school funding lawsuit, which is
scheduled to go to trial this year. (Visit </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.fundourschoolspa.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">www.FundOurSchoolsPa.org</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to learn more!) And we'll have plenty
of time for Q&A. I hope that you'll join us and/or </span></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBnf-hO61lH1PBhIi1ESit1rZnE4LvcrbH8lVi-J80su-DIH4IhllmK3nFOqo2yFSj4tBdp56lR0PxUWB_VqRwsSLjiEw6-EjNn0kufLnsZX1MWtXeDpQmLw5eY1ECIBlgPD92gGgQ33PdKbleo4ESaqYhUMCE6pDBhRh1VmlnWD894rln_GcYzh_4clPvc-2ixMMJkrmXwTfWjU-8IxzIuwmrRoQPCaLRQ8mKb6vrY6aEJYeLxnx1HuTJJfhfJ1KF1jWHRYIWPHxZHTsaAXIQGM-CTmAdIyyJqJv9eDWOptLdOaUrxqzsMGBiJgg7nXGtQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h3/lvPp3JascrbLND9UugezNT2NETz9kDgR2dqA0HRZMcc" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">share this invitation</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">with people in your network who are
interested in learning more and getting involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST GROVE—There
will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on Wednesday,
Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>2021 PA
Educational Leadership Summit</b>, hosted by the<i> PA Principals
Association</i> and the <i>PA Association of School Administrators
(PASA)</i>, is being held from <b>August 1-3 at the Kalahari Resorts and
Convention Center, Poconos</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA
Principals Association Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:54 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PIL Hours
Available! See links below to register and for further information.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://ppa13.wildapricot.org/event-4167130" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click
here to register today!</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/summit21/Datesaver%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click here for the informational flyer and details</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">358 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"></a><a name="_Hlk64350980"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64350980;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-83919763940038559832021-02-15T08:41:00.003-05:002021-02-15T08:41:50.311-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 15, 2021: Do charter schools really receive 25% less funding per student than school districts?<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do charter schools
really receive 25% less funding per student than school districts?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All School Directors: PSBA Monthly Zoom Exchange Feb 18 12:30 - 1:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join other PSBA-member school directors for cross-district networking
and discussion on education hot topics, legislative updates and advocacy
strategies. All School Directors: Monthly Exchange will be held via Zoom at
12:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month, January through June.
Geographic-based breakout rooms will be utilized to allow for discussion among
school directors in the same regions of the state. Learn more or register: </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/tW7LtzMcuN?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://ow.ly/rW4F50DrrCq</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do charter schools
really receive 25% less funding per student than school districts? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 12, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA
recently provided all members of the Senate and House of Representatives with
its latest <i>Closer Look</i> publication that examines some of the
myths, truths and concerns regarding charter school funding issues. PSBA also
urged legislators to enact real charter funding reform that would save school
districts and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Click </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Charter_25.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to read the <i>Closer Look</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/02/new-closer-look-available/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/02/new-closer-look-available/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hold cyber charter
schools accountable<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Doylestown
Intelligencer By Debra Weiner February 14, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Pennsylvania Department of Education, or PDE, recently denied the revised
application of the Virtual Preparatory Academy of Pennsylvania, or VPAP, a
cyber charter school. This school would have been run by Accel Schools, a
for-profit company in Ohio that runs a cyber school in Ohio that received an
"F" grade for every measure of student achievement included in the
Ohio Department of Education's school report card for 2018-2019. PDE
evaluated VPAP's application against five criteria in the charter school law
and identified flagrant deficiencies related to all five, including an
incomplete or totally absent curriculum, proposals for inadequate and
inappropriate practices for vulnerable student populations and incomplete and
contradictory financial information. VPAP is not just a local charter
serving a limited number of students. Like 13 of the 14 existing Pennsylvania
cyber charter schools, it has unlimited enrollment capacity, which means that
every school district in the commonwealth can be on the hook for paying for
students to attend, even though the school was not approved by any school board
or other local entity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, with every
single cyber charter school in Pennsylvania having been designated as among the
lowest-performing schools in the state, that blank check has proved
educationally disastrous for both students and taxpayers. Instead of
having to waste valuable time evaluating applications for new, unnecessary
cyber charter schools, PDE should focus its limited resources and energies on
holding current existing cyber charter schools accountable for providing tens
of thousands of Pennsylvania’s children with a quality
education. And the Pennsylvania legislature should adopt a
moratorium on new cyber charter schools until the current abysmal performance
of these schools is improved. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theintell.com/story/opinion/2021/02/14/lte-hold-cyber-charter-schools-accountable/4292781001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.theintell.com/story/opinion/2021/02/14/lte-hold-cyber-charter-schools-accountable/4292781001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Loyalsock officials
talk cyber charter school reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Williamsport
Sun Gazette by PAT CROSSLEY <a name="_Hlk64122225">pcrossley@sungazette.com </a>FEB
13, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Noting that
Gov. Tom Wolf”s recent budget proposal addresses the issue of cyber charter
school reform, members of the Loyalsock Township School Board reaffirmed their
support of the governor’s efforts at their meeting earlier this week. The board
agreed to reaffirm a resolution, which had been approved last year, calling for
the reform. Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin noted that the state’s school
board association had called for boards to again acknowledge their support of
the resolution. Wolf’s proposal, if approved, would establish cyber charter
school tuition rates at $9,500 for basic education, which McLaughlin told the
board, the district now pays around $11,500. McLaughlin also acknowledged that
during the COVID-19 pandemic, more students have opted to attend cyber charter
schools which he said has taken a <i>“significant amount”</i> of
money out of the district’s budget.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2021/02/loyalsock-officials-talk-cyber-charter-school-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2021/02/loyalsock-officials-talk-cyber-charter-school-reform/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Conewago Valley SD
Takes Aim at Charter Schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gettysburg
Connection </span></span></span></span><a href="https://gettysburgconnection.org/cvsd-takes-aim-at-charter-schools/" title="9:01 am"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">February 14, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://gettysburgconnection.org/author/iscarbrough/" title="View all posts by Imari Scarbrough"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Imari Scarbrough</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Following a
report by Superintendent Christopher Rudisill saying supposedly “free” charter
and cyber schools cost the district $4.2 million, Conewago Valley School
District (CVSD) approved a resolution calling for changes to charter school
funding. “While you may hear that these schools claim they are free; they
really are not free at all,” said Rudisill. Rudisill said when the board
releases its budget to the public in April, he wants the community to
understand the challenges the district is facing. Rudisill said the district
pays $10,960 for every regular education student that decides to attend a
charter school or cyber charter school. “If that child is (in) special
education, the cost to the district is $26,510. The money is taken from our
school district to help fund the free cyber charter schools,” Rudisill said. Rudisill
said that money shortage shows up in larger class sizes and fewer new equipment
and material purchases within the district. “Currently, our state under-funds
our district at a cost of $3,490 per student, That’s $12.6 million in
opportunities for our students that are lost because of the state,” Rudisill
said. Rudisill said CVSD was “fortunate to have received a federal Elementary
and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund grant. We received $2 million to help
one-time spending for the district, whether it be getting more livestream
equipment, looking to make sure that we’re prepared for graduation this year
and many years forward; whatever the case might be.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://gettysburgconnection.org/cvsd-takes-aim-at-charter-schools/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://gettysburgconnection.org/cvsd-takes-aim-at-charter-schools/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Congratulations to
#355 Pottsville Area School District for passing the charter funding reform
resolution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Thank
you </span></span></span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/HMathiasPSBA" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@HMathiasPSBA</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/SenatorArgall" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@SenatorArgall</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Representative Tim Twardzik and
Representative Joe Kerwin. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/84dNpe0TZc" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://t.co/84dNpe0TZc</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Avon Grove Charter
School seeks $3.7 million from Coatesville over funding dispute<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">West Chester
Daily Local </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Fran%20Maye%20fmaye@21st-centurymedia.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fran Maye
fmaye@21st-centurymedia.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February
15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">AVON GROVE —
Avon Grove Charter School has filed a lawsuit against the Coatesville Area
School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, seeking $3.7
million the district claims it is owed in charter school funding. It is the
second lawsuit filed against the Coatesville School District in the past three
months over charter school funding. Collegium Charter School filed a similar
claim on Nov. 24, 2020. Earlier this year, Coatesville school directors
acknowledged its obligations under charter school law and concluded that
"upon the District's review of Collegium's claims for payment from the
District or from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for per-pupil charter
school tuition, it appears to the school board that the District is obligated
to pay the sum of at least $5.4 million to Collegiuim." More than any
other school district in Chester County, the Coatesville School District has
seen an exodus of students preferring to attend either Collegium Charter School
in Exton, or Avon Grover Charter School in West Grove. Thus, under a school
funding formula set up by the state, Coatesville School District is responsible
for reimbursement to these charter schools. Coatesville pays $11,500 per pupil
per year for students who opt to attend Collegium or Avon Grove Charter. More
than 3,000 students from the Coatesville Area School District now attend
charters, up from about 1,700 five years ago. In that time, Coatesvillle's
payments to charters has expanded by $33 million, to about $54 million per
year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/avon-grove-charter-school-seeks-3-7-million-from-coatesville-over-funding-dispute/article_73fe8250-6ee1-11eb-a01e-df21b77a0d63.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/avon-grove-charter-school-seeks-3-7-million-from-coatesville-over-funding-dispute/article_73fe8250-6ee1-11eb-a01e-df21b77a0d63.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">26 states have plans
for teachers to get their COVID shots. Pa. isn’t one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/staff/4395336002/sam-ruland/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sam Ruland</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Daily Record February 14, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is
still no timeline on when Pennsylvania's teachers will be eligible for the
COVID-19 vaccine, even as state officials push schools to offer more
in-person instruction and surrounding states have begun vaccinating their
own educator workforces. The commonwealth is not among the 26 states that
have publicly released plans to vaccinate teachers against COVID-19. In the
state's vaccination plan, teachers are part of Phase 1B, with other essential
workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And on Friday, Pennsylvania
officials made it clear that they will not move teachers to the 1A
vaccination group despite a request from Pennsylvania’s largest teachers’
union and one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying
it would "strongly encourage states to prioritize teachers and other
school staff."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/02/14/pa-covid-19-shots-teachers-must-wait-vaccinated/4485650001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/02/14/pa-covid-19-shots-teachers-must-wait-vaccinated/4485650001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The guidance outlines five strategies
officials described as key for a safe reopening of school, in particular
universal masking and social distancing. The agency recommended that schools in
areas with high levels of community transmission maintain six feet of spacing
between students, and opt for hybrid in-person and virtual instruction or
reduced in-person attendance rather than full reopenings. A number of
Philadelphia-area schools have been considering whether to reopen fully, in
some cases by reducing spacing between students. The Radnor School District,
for instance, announced Thursday that it would offer full-time in-person
instruction to its youngest students later this month, a move that involves
reducing its six-foot distance to four feet. “Those districts may have to think
twice now about whether that is a safe thing to do,” said Chris Lilienthal, a
spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the state’s
largest teachers’ union”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CDC gives new road
map for schools without requiring schools to reopen<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 12, 2021- 7:26
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">President
Biden’s administration on Friday weighed in for the first time with guidelines
for reopening schools amid the pandemic, providing a road map for local
officials navigating the fraught debate on how to return students to classrooms
safely. Citing a growing body of science on the virus and data from schools in
the U.S. and Europe that had reopened, officials with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention outlined key strategies, in particular universal masking
and adherence to social distancing. The guidance also ties reopening
recommendations to the prevalence of the coronavirus in a school’s community. “The
safest way to open schools is to ensure that there is as little disease as
possible in the community,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Even so, she
said, schools can open for some in-person instruction at high levels of
community transmission, provided they take necessary steps to mitigate spread
of the virus. The guidance from the Democratic administration — which is not a
mandate — appears unlikely to resolve the ongoing disagreement in many
communities among school leaders, teachers’ unions, and different factions of
parents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/cdc-school-reopening-guidelines-covid-biden-20210213.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/cdc-school-reopening-guidelines-covid-biden-20210213.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Schools in areas with substantial
transmission (orange, 50-99 new cases per 100,000) may still consider a limited
reopening, as long as they can layer multiple safety strategies in the
classroom. In hard-hit communities (red, more than 100 new cases per 100,000)
elementary schools may consider limited reopening, with physical distancing
required, but the CDC recommends middle and high schools be virtual-only unless
mitigation strategies can be met.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CDC offers clearest
guidance yet for reopening schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY/NPR By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/349625027/cory-turner?ft=nprml&f=967033554" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Cory Turner</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/302894536/anya-kamenetz?ft=nprml&f=967033554" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Anya Kamenetz</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/122805042/tamara-keith?ft=nprml&f=967033554" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tamara Keith</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention released its much-anticipated, updated
guidance Friday to help school leaders decide how to safely bring students back
into classrooms and/or keep them there. Rather than a political push to reopen
schools, the update is a measured, data-driven effort to expand on old
recommendations and advise school leaders on how to “layer” the most effective
safety precautions: masking, physical distancing, handwashing and respiratory
etiquette, ventilation and building cleaning, and contact tracing. For
politicians, parents and school leaders looking for a clear greenlight to
reopen schools, this is not it. “CDC is not mandating that schools reopen,” CDC
Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday on a phone briefing with reporters. Instead,
the CDC goes to great lengths to explain that proper mitigation can help keep
kids and staff safe at school, even in hard-hit communities, though it also
warns that schools lulled into a false sense of security because of low
community transmission rates could still spread the virus if they don’t enforce
mask-wearing and socially distanced classrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The updated
guidance comes as President Biden tries to make good on his promise to help
more K-8 schools reopen within his first 100 days in office. School reopening
has become a potent political battle between parents and educators. In
Washington, Republicans have used it to criticize the Biden administration for
bowing to pressure from a powerful interest group, teachers unions, rather than
listening to scientists and the concerns of parents. The update offers a few
key changes to earlier language, including a color-coded chart that divides
schools’ reopening options into four zones: blue, yellow, orange and red.
Districts with low community spread of the coronavirus (blue, 0-9 new cases per
100,000 in past 7 days) or moderate transmission (yellow, 10-49 new cases) are
encouraged to consider reopening for full, in-person learning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/cdc-offers-clearest-guidance-yet-for-reopening-schools/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/cdc-offers-clearest-guidance-yet-for-reopening-schools/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To play, or not to
play: Schools wrestle with CDC’s athletics recommendations<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WITF By Eda
Uzunlar FEBRUARY 13, 2021 | 6:30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">(Washington)–High
school senior Audrianna Hill has been playing basketball since she was five
years old. But this winter, with Covid-19 cases rising, there was a chance she
might not get to play. Her Detroit school has been virtual since the pandemic
began, and the basketball season has been pushed back multiple times since
September. Basketball is a big part of who she is, and she’s been banking on
her last year of playing to help get her recruited. The suspensions haven’t
helped. “It’s made it harder for me to go to college,” Hill, a varsity player,
explains. “Schools can’t come and actually watch you. You have to rely on
technology, and I don’t know if some [college] coaches feel like watching 50
[performance] videos of different kids.” Student athletes like Hill are still
hoping for a full season this year, but recent findings from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention may be working against them. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/02/12/967033554/cdc-offers-clearest-guidance-yet-for-reopening-schools"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">New
CDC guidance</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> released Friday cautions against
resuming athletic activities – especially those that happen inside. The report
says that for communities that have substantial rates of transmission, sports
and other activities should only take place “if they can be held outdoors, with
physical distancing of 6 feet or more.” Communities that have high transmission
should stick to virtual activities. A </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7004e4.htm"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">previous
CDC report</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> singled out activities where athletes
can’t social distance and wear masks — effectively ruling out sports like
swimming, wrestling and, to Hill’s dismay, basketball.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.witf.org/2021/02/13/to-play-or-not-to-play-schools-wrestle-with-cdcs-athletics-recommendations/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.witf.org/2021/02/13/to-play-or-not-to-play-schools-wrestle-with-cdcs-athletics-recommendations/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">VOICES OF INEQUITY:
In Pottstown, lack of resources adds to COVID burden<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown
Mercury By Alex Wagoner February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Editor's
Note:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <i>Journalism
students at Ursinus College, supported by a grant from Project Pericles,
dedicated a semester to interviewing students at Montgomery County public high
schools to get their perspective on the impact Pennsylvania's inequitable
school funding had on their education.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POTTSTOWN —
Akira Love is a 16-year-old junior at Pottstown High School, and he’s busy. Aside
from the standard fare of classes, he’s a musician in the marching band, he
holds a job, and he helps out around the house, including with taking care of
his special-needs brother. And Love's considerable responsibility in his
household has only grown more substantial as his schooling moved online thanks
to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pottstown School District has conducted classes
remotely for its students for the 2020-2021 school year. This was a profound
challenge at first: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/coronavirus/as-schools-pivot-to-online-pottstown-is-left-behind/article_c3e2091a-739f-11ea-bff1-bb247fbfab90.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the district initially fell behind other, better-funded nearby school
districts in its efforts to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, when it could not
offer computers to students who did not have access to them.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> It offered printed workbooks to students
without computers or internet access. Meanwhile, during this period Spring-Ford
middle school and high school students could request individual Chromebooks,
including multiple devices per family. Last May, the district secured funding
to provide Chromebooks to all students in the district without a computer. For
Love, the Chromebook helped, but it was far from perfect. “Our Chromebooks are
only built for so much,” he said. “Sometimes our connection would cut us out.”
Students sometimes used phones as backups when necessary. Indeed, universal
access to computers is only one part of the problem.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/voices-of-inequity-in-pottstown-lack-of-resources-adds-to-covid-burden/article_25d72652-6ca4-11eb-9391-b716166b5686.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/voices-of-inequity-in-pottstown-lack-of-resources-adds-to-covid-burden/article_25d72652-6ca4-11eb-9391-b716166b5686.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NEPA educators,
advocates call for fixing 'structurally unfair' school funding system<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 14, 2021 Updated 1 hr ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fair funding
in the Scranton School District could mean updating curriculum, creating a
science and math academy and attracting and retaining a highly qualified staff.
In Carbondale, the district could offer more electives, provide tutoring and
restore cuts made to art and family and consumer sciences. At Riverside,
libraries could become innovative labs and the district could find additional
ways to help students prepare for life after graduation. The way Pennsylvania
funds school districts, which Gov. Tom Wolf and public education advocates call
one of the must unfair systems in the country, makes it difficult for districts
to achieve those goals. The 2021-22 state budget proposed by the governor this
month aims to fix that. Just the proposal and the debate surrounding it
highlights and exposes the inequities in a way not done before on a statewide
level, experts say. Wolf’s plan would provide an additional $159 million to
school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania by putting all funding through a
formula designed to increase equity and assist the students who need the most
help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/nepa-educators-advocates-call-for-fixing-structurally-unfair-school-funding-system/article_bfca5167-a242-50d4-82ee-db09ef6bffac.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/nepa-educators-advocates-call-for-fixing-structurally-unfair-school-funding-system/article_bfca5167-a242-50d4-82ee-db09ef6bffac.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf budget aims to
correct inequities in school funding<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wilkes Barre
Citizens Voice </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
MICHAEL P. BUFFER </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">AND
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITERS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 13, 2021 Updated Feb 13, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The way
Pennsylvania funds public schools and school districts “has really crushed our
taxpayers, our students, our educators and our local economies,” Wilkes-Barre
Area School District Superintendent Brian Costello said back in 2019. Costello
estimated the state was underfunding Wilkes-Barre Area by $33 million in 2019.
He has been trying to get more state funding for the district since. The
2021-22 state budget proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf this month aims to help. Just
the proposal and the debate surrounding it highlights and exposes the
inequities in a way not done before on a statewide level, experts say. Wolf’s
plan would provide an additional $159 million to school districts in Northeast
Pennsylvania by putting all funding through the state’s fair-funding formula to
determine all basic education subsidy amounts. The 5-year-old school funding
formula was designed to iron out inequities in how Pennsylvania funds the
poorest public schools. But only 11% of state funds flow through the formula
because it only applies to increased funding since 2016. While Republican
legislators have called Wolf’s budget proposal, which relies on an increase in
personal income taxes for some residents, “dead on arrival,” advocates say the
proposal is a major step in solving the school funding crisis. Education
organizations, including PA Schools Work and the Education Law Center, have
found:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania has the widest funding gap
between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the country,
with the wealthiest school districts spending 33% more on each student
than the poorest districts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The state’s share of total district
spending is 38%, which ranks the state 44th in the country. The national
median is 48%. As a result of the lower state contribution, Pennsylvania
school districts rely more on local property taxes to fund budgets. That
creates significant disparities between high wealth and low wealth
districts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania spends an average of $4,800
less per pupil in poor districts than on students in rich districts, and
the average revenue gap between the poorest and richest districts has
grown by $1,000 per student over the past decade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“It’s not
fair that poor children and children of color go to school where this is
happening,” said Susan Spicka, executive director of Philadelphia-based
Education Voters of Pennsylvania. “Lawmakers in Harrisburg are going to have to
deal with looking at the school funding system for what it is: a system that
guarantees that the most vulnerable children in Pennsylvania go to school
without the resources they need.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wolf-budget-aims-to-correct-inequities-in-school-funding/article_dadf217e-cb9d-5ea2-a21d-37dfd9472a47.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wolf-budget-aims-to-correct-inequities-in-school-funding/article_dadf217e-cb9d-5ea2-a21d-37dfd9472a47.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Wolf has
proposed a bold plan to address unequal education funding in Pennsylvania
schools | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/pennoped/posts.html" title="Guest Editorial"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Guest Editorial</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> By Roseann Liu Updated Feb 14,
2021; Posted Feb 14, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Roseann Liu
is a member of POWER, a parent in the School District of Philadelphia, and
Visiting Assistant Professor at Swarthmore College who is writing a book about
school funding.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What are the
barriers that stand between you and the bright figure you imagined when you
decided to build a life here in the Commonwealth? Gov. Wolf posed this question
during his recent budget address. He said, “When I first got to Harrisburg, the
answer was almost always the same: schools.” With a budget address that called
to mind President Roosevelt’s fireside chats, Gov. Wolf spoke directly to
everyday Pennsylvanians, still reeling from the social and economic devastation
of the pandemic, to address our hopes and concerns for the future. As a parent
of two children in Philadelphia public schools that have been closed for nearly
a year now, the education of our children is foremost on the minds of
Pennsylvanians. But let’s be clear: while all parents want the best for their
children, some are better equipped to provide those opportunities because of
the structural racism that exists in Pennsylvania’s school funding system. Gov.
Wolf intends to do something about that through his “game-changing budget
proposal,” as POWER, an interfaith grassroots organization whose full and fair
funding campaign I have been a part of, referred to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/gov-wolf-has-proposed-a-bold-plan-to-address-unequal-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-schools-opinion.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/gov-wolf-has-proposed-a-bold-plan-to-address-unequal-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-schools-opinion.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teaching civics isn’t
enough. We need to teach information literacy. The Capitol riot proved it |
Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star By Timothy P. Williams </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Timothy P.
Williams is the superintendent of schools for the the </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://www.yssd.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">York Suburban School District</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in York County. Readers may follow him
on Twitter </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/DrWilliamsYSSD"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@DrWilliamsYSSD</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The
political unrest on display in Washington, DC on Jan. 6 demonstrated that we
are a democracy in turmoil — a body-politic flirting with
authoritarianism. We must do something. The atrocities at the Capitol that
fateful day leave us wondering how such a thing could have happened and how we
should address it. Recently, there have been calls for more patriotism, more
civics instruction, and even proposed legislation to make sure our young people
understand how to preserve our republic. A recent Bloomberg opinion
piece, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-01-14/classroom-civics-revival-can-help-heal-u-s-democracy"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Democracy
Needs to Be Taught in School: If ever there was a moment to revive civics
instruction, isn’t this it?</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> by
Professor Andrea Gabor, who framed the insurrection bluntly: “The riot was just
the latest and most appalling evidence that a wide swath of the American public
doesn’t understand democratic norms. That’s why it should serve as a sputnik
moment for an ambitious revival of civics instruction along with expanded
training in news literacy.” Gabor correctly emphasizes the importance of civics
education, which was – and still is – taught in schools. She appears to
believe, though, that “news literacy” instruction is absent. Indeed it was
prior to the Internet Age when the average insurrectionist attended school.
Information literacy is now systemic throughout all disciplines. During their
formal educations, the rioters received civics instruction. The real concern is
that they may not have received formal information literacy instruction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/teaching-civics-isnt-enough-we-need-to-teach-information-literacy-the-capitol-riot-provided-it-opinion/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/teaching-civics-isnt-enough-we-need-to-teach-information-literacy-the-capitol-riot-provided-it-opinion/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blake to resign state
Senate seat for post with Cartwright<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/bkrawczeniuk"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
BORYS KRAWCZENIUK STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 14, 2021 Updated 27 min ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Longtime
state Sen. John Blake will resign his job March 8 for a new position with U.S.
Rep. Matt Cartwright. Blake, 60, confirmed only his resignation and its date,
but multiple other sources confirmed he will work for Cartwright. Blake and
Cartwright are scheduled to appear jointly at a news conference today at 11
a.m. in downtown Scranton. Repeated efforts to reach Cartwright were
unsuccessful. “I’ve given my all to it (the Senate seat),” Blake said Sunday in
a telephone interview with The Times-Tribune. “My passion and my joy in the job
has ebbed over the past couple of years.” A special election will be scheduled
to replace Blake. Democratic and Republican parties in Lackawanna, Luzerne and
Monroe counties will choose nominees for the special election. The winner will
serve only until Blake’s current term expires on Nov. 30, 2022, unless reelected
earlier that month. With a stellar reputation as a dedicated public servant,
Blake, D-22, Archbald, elected senator in November 2010, said he grew
frustrated with Democrats always remaining in the Senate minority. He hoped the
November election would change that, but Republicans maintained their majority.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/blake-to-resign-state-senate-seat-for-post-with-cartwright/article_52e1b3e5-4a9c-50c7-a013-5315aa044ffc.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/blake-to-resign-state-senate-seat-for-post-with-cartwright/article_52e1b3e5-4a9c-50c7-a013-5315aa044ffc.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Allentown School
District prepares to offer hybrid learning in April<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By KATHERINE
REINHARD THE MORNING CALL | FEB 12, 2021 AT 8:55 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Allentown School District, the last district in the Lehigh Valley to offer
remote-only classes, is buying new computers and hiring a California consulting
company to prepare to offer hybrid learning in mid-April. During a special
meeting Thursday, the school board agreed to buy 1,210 Lenovo laptops, web
cameras and other technology. The cost is $1.3 million, with the bulk being
paid with general funds and $54,735 with a state health and safety grant. The
school board also approved a $125,000 contract with Education Elements, a
consulting company it has used in the past, to provide hybrid learning training,
instructional guidance, professional development and project management
support. The hybrid rollout includes a communications component to alert
families about the option and to gauge whether they will send their children
back to school or continue with remote learning. The district will advertise
the choice on billboards, LANTA buses, radio, social media, voice mail, emails
and a town hall. Superintendent Thomas Parker said the scale of a move toward
hybrid learning, where students attend some days in school and the rest at
home, required outside help for a seamless transition. The district has about
16,440 students and about 1,000 teachers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-schools-hybrid-learning-20210212-7wrq6xger5fjxnywpk5vhudxjm-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-schools-hybrid-learning-20210212-7wrq6xger5fjxnywpk5vhudxjm-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join Education Voters
for "PA School Funding and Advocacy 101" for an overview of school
funding issues, an update on the school funding lawsuit and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education Voters
PA February 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBsf4ZYzSjHQotKU9fctMXueT4tIVsWnfxA5KIoH1a1blYsQI6NfAppx9sHw8VkWna9o9ZXYHP2BoDZOH1OFxbbX41JRJR7WPTrFHXRpwGdKKcReeL27GN2aYhIwIxKh1tGPVC6Q2lq6LwrlYR7HkhtKPlkYL5VUPNcvNrEFrnxNJQcSs3JGdjyCJE5G9Ut6Kf0y1_8oS4nN-8tk8kT0ylvttUNR7evp4E4o5-dmTgXGqDCLm50qApXXUDGHHFzSfnbrg4e77McMaocPdfifQPvy604HHz-nyPLZYbfymOnaN0lY8qI6H1ZbU59nfGqy7RA/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h0/RFIujnIucVPZcAxWCDd9dvYpeu45LrldYUnSKrwiFw0" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click HERE to register for one of our webinars.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBul7aAK-SyyN1zlkoRZVLuw-V4_Xs6XqhTz35y2MjlP-hfF4QT-b4VA0ZeDzrrR_HLLQLBXb7fp9JTYn_1WPtcPeN8RqrCrPyrxZr6sEoi4vTzdwpyxx0lb2o9fAEvGac1nAvWTY8gJ2aX7Ob1-_b0k8RiKmLvlZS29rAwH62J-M-dC65E9EVuaa4qkmbeu_Gr4hUoa-8RBXph3ZZGgX48dA-UxfqhWJxYqAC6h1V-PAI3eKyDB_ciCJ-_j6Kw31pkJUl4kP-RL9tUHDKX5dcBL6bWesdizcLKCDzaSqCk0G9TlnX98lPGblYCzPWFKBrQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h1/2gzHGDjVwjD08afs6C5jf0xkj8HnsYaPBf8doV4rtr8" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fri, Feb 19, 12:00pm–1:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBvPlr5Lhe7VyjvTMsACqI6hN80lfRHnXzxXKqijIwkzuHRWr9YJX4tQ4f6w0Vyf5VLKag9ORVgKIjb203acgAyhAfAUhZEjfZmBttGv9-PPxc9J7DspjawdLQJ4RG7UdwXFDOT0CHR3MclsdrhvmwHcRQko1IuRmD6UUAq-ZnOwlBL1RuKEcX21hRNg0Ny57HGdm0hRQIoeyR8GlG_Hy9B4jVk_wfHfw448nrv8skTcIJZVQnE5z3P9-ygdBzaddVxg_Qzc0TQqfXvhYVqf9zPFU_iAd45amhp-tK6iS7r3RulLeae26eaSUrguM6ZUlIQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h2/qL3BFc3Ac9vS-NKMR017B0XujuL-LTtOv6S-WP6HbcQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tue, Feb 23, 7:00pm–8:00pm EST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Questions we
will answer include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are schools funded in PA?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who decides how much funding my local
schools get?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What is the Basic Education Funding
Formula (fair funding formula)?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why does Pennsylvania have the widest
funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the
country?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are charter schools funded and how
can the current system be reformed?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can I most effectively advocate for
the school funding students in my district and throughout Pennsylvania's
need and deserve?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">We will also
provide a brief update on Pennsylvania's school funding lawsuit, which is
scheduled to go to trial this year. (Visit </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.fundourschoolspa.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">www.FundOurSchoolsPa.org</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to learn more!) And we'll have plenty
of time for Q&A. I hope that you'll join us and/or </span></span></span></span><a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDBB_RsJxKRR2pW2m7St4BHVJHvV1jTc1PnSSe7CDVc_FtGWVF_T6srPX-dDbPtQHBnf-hO61lH1PBhIi1ESit1rZnE4LvcrbH8lVi-J80su-DIH4IhllmK3nFOqo2yFSj4tBdp56lR0PxUWB_VqRwsSLjiEw6-EjNn0kufLnsZX1MWtXeDpQmLw5eY1ECIBlgPD92gGgQ33PdKbleo4ESaqYhUMCE6pDBhRh1VmlnWD894rln_GcYzh_4clPvc-2ixMMJkrmXwTfWjU-8IxzIuwmrRoQPCaLRQ8mKb6vrY6aEJYeLxnx1HuTJJfhfJ1KF1jWHRYIWPHxZHTsaAXIQGM-CTmAdIyyJqJv9eDWOptLdOaUrxqzsMGBiJgg7nXGtQ/39f/yEkX5PlFThiPBtfwNg6Tlg/h3/lvPp3JascrbLND9UugezNT2NETz9kDgR2dqA0HRZMcc" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">share this invitation</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">with people in your network who are
interested in learning more and getting involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Greater Latrobe, Deer
Lakes among area schools lauded for computer science diversity<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/jeff-himler/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JEFF
HIMLER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Sunday, February 14,
2021 8:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Several area
schools are among a little more than 1,100 nationwide being recognized for
helping to promote interest in computer science among female students. Greater
Latrobe, Deer Lakes and East Allegheny high schools and Pittsburgh Science and
Technology Academy are among 22 public schools in Pennsylvania that have
received the 2020 College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. The
schools qualified for the recognition by having female students represent 50%
or more of those enrolled in one of two Advanced Placement courses — AP
Computer Science Principles or AP Computer Science A. Schools also could
receive the award based on female students who took a related AP exam that
offers the opportunity for college credit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/greater-latrobe-deer-lakes-among-area-schools-lauded-for-computer-science-diversity/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/greater-latrobe-deer-lakes-among-area-schools-lauded-for-computer-science-diversity/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">SAT changes show
declining impact exam has on college admissions<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN AND NICK TROMBOLA Pittsburgh Post-Gazette FEB 15, 2021 5:45 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The College
Board recently announced that it was ending the optional essay-writing portion
and subject tests of the SAT exams. But is what appears to be a
significant change to an exam that for decades has been a rite of passage as
part of the college application process really so consequential?
“The best way I can describe my reaction to this is, ‘If a tree
falls in a woods, and there's no one there to hear it, did it really happen?’”
said David Barkovich, a counselor at North Hills High School. “I don’t
think most are even going to notice it’s gone.” While the inclusion of SAT
scores remains a fixture in many college applications, admissions officers have
put less weight on them in recent years. Some college admission leaders
have even decided that SAT scores are not needed and that testing requirements
might deter otherwise worthy applicants. And even fewer schools require
potential students to complete the optional essay or subject tests. The
COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the number of schools ending or suspending
their SAT requirements as many college-bound students have struggled since last
spring to find testing centers available at the right time and place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/15/college-boards-entrance-admissions-changes-SAT-exams-essay-writing-subject-tests/stories/202102070062"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/15/college-boards-entrance-admissions-changes-SAT-exams-essay-writing-subject-tests/stories/202102070062</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">C.D.C. Draws Up a
Blueprint for Reopening Schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amid an
acrid national controversy, the agency proposed detailed criteria for returning
students to classrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Apoorva Mandavilli</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/kate-taylor"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kate Taylor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/dana-goldstein"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dana Goldstein</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb. 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday urged that K-12 schools be
reopened as soon as possible, and it offered a step-by-step plan to get
students back in classrooms and to resolve a debate dividing communities across
the nation. The guidelines highlight growing evidence that schools can open
safely if they use measures designed to slow the coronavirus’s spread. The
agency said that even in communities with high transmission rates,
elementary-school students may receive at least some in-person instruction
safely. Middle and high school students, the agency said, may attend in-person
classes safely when the virus is less prevalent, but may need to switch to
hybrid or remote learning in communities experiencing intense outbreaks. “C.D.C.’s
operational strategy is grounded in science and the best available evidence,”
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the C.D.C., said on Friday in a call with
reporters. The guidelines arrive amid an intensifying debate. Even as parents
in some districts grow frustrated with shuttered schools, some teachers and
their unions refuse to return to classrooms they regard as unsafe. Public
school enrollment has declined in many districts. Education and civil rights
leaders are worried about the harm to children who have not been in classrooms
for nearly a year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/health/school-reopenings-cdc.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/health/school-reopenings-cdc.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CDC Releases New
COVID-19 Guidance for Schools. Will It Help Them Reopen?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/evie-blad"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evie Blad</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/catherine-gewertz"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Catherine Gewertz</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> & </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/sarah-dockery-sparks"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sarah D. Sparks</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">With proper
precautions, it will be possible for U.S. schools to conduct in-person learning
during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
said in new, long-awaited recommendations released Friday that stressed the
importance of getting schools reopened. But most schools are in areas with such
significant community spread of the virus that they likely won’t be able to
have all students on campus full-time, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/K-12-Operational-Strategy-2021-2-12.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the recommendations </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> say. Instead, they may have to operate
under hybrid arrangements of remote and in-person learning to allow for social
distancing in classrooms and hallways. “I want to underscore that the safest
way to open schools is to ensure that there is as little disease as possible in
the community,” CDC Director Rochelle Walenksy said in a press call to announce
the new guidance Friday. “Thus, enabling schools to open and remain open is a
shared responsibility.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/cdc-releases-new-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-will-it-help-them-reopen/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/cdc-releases-new-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-will-it-help-them-reopen/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Covid:
Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to be tested on children<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">BBC Published
February 14, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A new trial
is to test how well the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine works in
children.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some 300
volunteers will take part, with the first vaccinations in the trial taking
place later in February. Researchers will assess whether the jab produces a
strong immune response in children aged between six and 17. The vaccine is one
of two being used to protect against serious illness and death from Covid in
the UK, along with the Pfizer-BioNTech jab. As many as 240 children will
receive the vaccine - and the others a control meningitis jab - when the trial
gets under way. Volunteers who live near one of the four study sites - the
University of Oxford, St George's University Hospital, London, University
Hospital Southampton and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children - are being asked
to sign up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56052673"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56052673</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On His 80th Birthday,
Musician Tom Rush Reflects On A Career That's Been '99% Magic'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WBUR by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wbur.org/inside/staff/lauren-daley"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Lauren Daley</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 08, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wbur.org/artery/2021/02/08/tom-rush-turns-80-rockport-sundays"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.wbur.org/artery/2021/02/08/tom-rush-turns-80-rockport-sundays</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>2021 PA
Educational Leadership Summit</b>, hosted by the<i> PA Principals
Association</i> and the <i>PA Association of School Administrators
(PASA)</i>, is being held from <b>August 1-3 at the Kalahari Resorts and
Convention Center, Poconos</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA
Principals Association Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:54 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PIL Hours
Available! See links below to register and for further information.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://ppa13.wildapricot.org/event-4167130" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click
here to register today!</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/summit21/Datesaver%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click here for the informational flyer and details</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST GROVE—There
will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on Wednesday,
Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">353 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for
Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-15254280650062903582021-02-12T08:19:00.003-05:002021-02-12T08:19:54.751-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 12, 2021: A debate in the Philly suburbs on bringing more students back to classrooms is ‘as political as the presidential election’<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A debate in the
Philly suburbs on bringing more students back to classrooms is ‘as political as
the presidential election’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Along with a great Peter Greene piece on
charter funding reforms that could bring millions of dollars back to public
schools, today’s Roundup highlights ongoing COVID policy issues at the local,
state and federal levels. Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All School Directors: PSBA Monthly Zoom Exchange Feb 18 12:30 - 1:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join other PSBA-member school directors for cross-district networking
and discussion on education hot topics, legislative updates and advocacy
strategies. All School Directors: Monthly Exchange will be held via Zoom at
12:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month, January through June.
Geographic-based breakout rooms will be utilized to allow for discussion among
school directors in the same regions of the state. Learn more or register: </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/tW7LtzMcuN?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://ow.ly/rW4F50DrrCq</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. education groups
urge Gov. Tom Wolf to prioritize school staff for COVID-19 vaccinations<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/jmurphy/posts.html" title="Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated 3:26 PM; Today 2:11 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nine public
education advocacy groups are urging Gov. Tom Wolf to prioritize school staff
in the COVID-19 vaccination distribution Organizations representing educators,
support professionals, superintendents, business managers, principals,
intermediate units, career and technical school administrators, and school
boards said vaccinating the people they represent “is absolutely essential if
we are to reopen our state’s schools for in-person instruction and return to
normal operations when the 2021-22 school year begins.” In</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psea.org/globalassets/newsstand/news-releases/educationassociationsletter_prioritizevaccineforschoolstaff_02-11-2012.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> a letter to Wolf</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> as well as Acting Health Secretary
Alison Beam and Acting Education Secretary Noe Ortega, they said prioritizing
school staff will make it safer to bring more students back to their
classrooms. “Unlike 26 other states, Pennsylvania’s vaccination plan does not
prioritize school staff members, even though school staff members and students
are in a uniquely dangerous position. For those who are delivering in-person
instruction, they are gathered in reasonably large groups every day,” the
letter states.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/groups-call-on-gov-tom-wolf-to-make-school-staff-a-higher-priority-for-covid-19-vaccinations.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/groups-call-on-gov-tom-wolf-to-make-school-staff-a-higher-priority-for-covid-19-vaccinations.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“The Wolf administration replied
Thursday that it will not accelerate vaccinations for school staff. Pennsylvania
is adhering to federal guidelines meant to “get vaccine out as efficiently as
possible in a way to prioritize health care workers and the most vulnerable to
serious illness,” said Lyndsay Kensinger, Wolf’s spokesperson. The Wolf
administration brushed off a </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-tom-wolf-coronavirus-pandemic-0f06f2a50f9280e581177f002beee571"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">similar request</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> from Pittsburgh’s mayor earlier in the week.”</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School groups to Gov.
Wolf: Vaccinate teachers ASAP<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lehigh
Valley Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.lehighvalleylive.com/staff/bamaap/posts.html" title="The Associated Press"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Associated Press</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb 11, 2021; Posted Feb 11,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">An unusual
coalition of education groups — from superintendents and school boards to
teachers unions — asked Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday to prioritize
school staff for the </span></span></span></span><a href="http://lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">COVID-19</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> vaccine, calling it an “absolutely
essential” step toward reopening schools and keeping them open. Teachers and
other school staff had been higher up on the vaccine priority list until the
Wolf administration, following guidance from the federal government, made
people age 65 and older and younger people with serious medical conditions
newly eligible for the vaccine. That Jan. 19 decision set off a desperate
competition for scarce COVID-19 shots — and placed teachers and other
front-line essential workers, including first responders, prison guards and
grocery store workers, further back in line. More than 4 million people in
Pennsylvania are currently eligible for the vaccine, with teachers in the next
priority group. The education groups </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psea.org/globalassets/newsstand/news-releases/educationassociationsletter_prioritizevaccineforschoolstaff_02-11-2012.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">called
on Wolf to reverse course</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, contending
that “school staff members and students are in a uniquely dangerous position.” The
letter was signed by the leaders of two statewide teachers unions, the
Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania School
Boards Association and several other groups.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/school-groups-to-gov-wolf-vaccinate-teachers-asap.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/school-groups-to-gov-wolf-vaccinate-teachers-asap.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Your View: Why
Allentown schools receive far less than they need to meet student needs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By MICHAEL
FACCINETTO and REBECCA BODNAR THE MORNING CALL | FEB 11,
2021 AT 9:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Michael
Faccinetto is a fifth grade teacher at Central Elementary School in Allentown
and president of the Bethlehem Area School District Board of School Directors.
Rebecca Bodnar is principal of Central Elementary School.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">In the
Allentown School District, where we both work, the lack of equitable funding
has affected our students for decades. The weighted school funding formula
developed in 2015 takes into account poverty and other factors but concerns
only new spending; a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pahouse.com/Files/Documents/Appropriations/series/3056/Hold-Harmless%20Analysis%202018-19.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">hold
harmless guarantee</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> still distributed the vast majority of
education spending based on past levels of funding rather than current student
enrollment and needs. In Allentown, special education and charter tuition costs
have </span></span></span></span><a href="https://paschoolswork.org/500/LehighCounty_AllentownCitySD.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">soared</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> while funding slowly inches higher at a
rate that can’t keep up with rising mandated costs. A recent </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2020/10/pa-public-school-funding-analysis-philadelphia-reading-lancaster/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">analysis</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> found Allentown students are
shortchanged by $5,250 per pupil and districts such as ours with more students
of color and students in poverty are the furthest from adequate funding. COVID-19
exacerbated the effects of these funding inequities. Teachers in our district
worked quickly to master the basics of online instruction so they could
continue to serve their students. Many teachers saw only a small proportion of
their students connect on Zoom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-school-funding-equity-faccinetto-20210211-2stwx5nn3zhbtcjnavf4nfpc6y-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-school-funding-equity-faccinetto-20210211-2stwx5nn3zhbtcjnavf4nfpc6y-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The governor is proposing that charters
be paid in line with their actual costs, and that they be audited like any
other PA school. These are not particularly radical notions, but they would
bring millions of taxpayer dollars back to public schools.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are the three major parts of the
proposal:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">Right-size
Special Education Funding<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">Set
A State Cyber Charter Tuition Rate</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">Audit
Cyber Charter Schools</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania Charter
School Funding Reform Long Overdue, On The Horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Forbes by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Peter Greene</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Senior Contributor Feb 11, 2021,11:31am EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Governor Tom
Wolf’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/2021-plan/" target="_blank" title="https://www.governor.pa.gov/2021-plan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">budget proposal is out</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. In addition to attempting to fix </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/tom-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-education-funding-20190222.html" target="_blank" title="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/tom-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-education-funding-20190222.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">basic
education funding</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> problems, it aims to inject some common
sense into the commonwealth’s system of funding charter schools. <a name="_Hlk63937305">Here are the three major parts of the proposal.</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Right-size
Special Education Funding</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pennsylvania
public school funding organizes students with</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2020/07/02/report-pa-charters-game-the-special-education-system/?sh=59b390147828" target="_self" title="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2020/07/02/report-pa-charters-game-the-special-education-system/?sh=59b390147828"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> special
needs by tiers based on cost</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. A Tier 1
student might need a weekly hour of speech therapy or special adaptations in a
regular classroom—relatively inexpensive supports for the district. A Tier 3
student might require a full-time nurse, or a special outplacement paid for by
the district—pretty expensive requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter
school reimbursement ignores those tiers, requiring public districts to pay
charter schools at a higher rate. This creates a big financial incentive for
charter schools to cherry pick students with inexpensive special needs while
avoiding those on the higher tiers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">For
example, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/01/15/in-pennsylvania-the-dismantling-of-a-public-school-system/?sh=a27911b71b1e" target="_self" title="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/01/15/in-pennsylvania-the-dismantling-of-a-public-school-system/?sh=a27911b71b1e"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">in the
Chester Upland district, </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">charter schools enrolled only students with
special needs in the $0 to $25,000 range, yet the district had to forward
$40,000 in taxpayer dollars for each student with special needs; the charter
ends up netting pure profit of $15,000 to $40,000 for each student. Another
Pennsylvania charter, now closed, may have over-identified students as having
Tier 1 special needs </span></span></span></span><a href="https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2018/08/pa-wonderland-charter-gives-up-gaming.html" target="_blank" title="https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2018/08/pa-wonderland-charter-gives-up-gaming.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by as
much as 1,000%</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wolf’s
proposal is that charter schools receive taxpayer dollars following the tiered
system, so that charters are paid at a rate in line with the services they are
providing. Charter parents </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-gov-tom-wolfs-charter-school-reforms-re-ignites-firestorm-with-advocates-parents.html" target="_blank" title="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-gov-tom-wolfs-charter-school-reforms-re-ignites-firestorm-with-advocates-parents.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">are
complaining</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> that special ed funding at their
schools will be cut in half; the counter-argument is that these have previously
been collecting twice the funding they actually needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/02/11/pennsylvania-charter-school-funding--reform-long-overdue-on-the-horizon/?sh=f66288873172"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/02/11/pennsylvania-charter-school-funding--reform-long-overdue-on-the-horizon/?sh=f66288873172</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">OP-ED: Cyber charter
schools are the reassurance every parent, child and taxpayer deserve<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York
Dispatch Opinion by Jim Hanak, Public Cyber Charter School Association February
11, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jim Hanak is
executive director of the Public Cyber Charter School
Association and CEO of Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the
pandemic began, Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter schools have fielded more
than our typical barrage of negativity from school districts and their
advocates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our approach is always to
embrace criticism as an opportunity to have equitable discussions about how to
best empower families to make the most informed decisions regarding the
education of their children. We craft our responses carefully with respect for
school districts and the role they play. We make full transparency a priority,
and we focus not only on the facts, but the facts in proper context. However, a
proper response to Eric Wolfgang’s recent op-ed requires something more.
Reassurance. Op-eds like Mr. Wolfgang’s often utilize fear tactics to stoke
opposition against cyber charter education. They talk of unjust use of taxpayer
dollars and “schools bleeding cash” at the hands of cyber schools. The last
thing anyone needs right now is more fear and worry. For 20 years and long
before COVID, Pennsylvania cyber charter schools were demonstrating our
uncompromised dedication to educational excellence by making sure our students
have the opportunity to learn and thrive. That’s why I’m writing to reassure
parents and taxpayers that cyber charter schools are here to help us move
forward from the COVID pandemic, not hold us back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/contributors/2021/02/11/op-ed-cyber-charter-schools-reassurance-every-parent-child-and-taxpayer-deserve/6719957002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/contributors/2021/02/11/op-ed-cyber-charter-schools-reassurance-every-parent-child-and-taxpayer-deserve/6719957002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk64003039"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A debate in the Philly suburbs on bringing more students back to
classrooms is ‘as political as the presidential election’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk64003039;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">One night in
late January, parent Monica Zeitz stood before the Wallingford-Swarthmore
School Board and read a petition signed by 331 people asking to fully reopen
the district’s schools. “We will definitely begin that conversation,” responded
David Grande, the board’s president, who announced earlier in the meeting that
the district would consider a plan to bring elementary students back to school
five days a week. Since then, debate has erupted over the district’s proposal.
Parents circulated petitions calling on the board to delay a vote, alarmed by
the prospect of adding more children to classrooms before vaccines are widely
available. Teachers signed another. Heated posts made the rounds on social
media. One woman said neighbors stopped her on the street, trying to change her
opinion. Zeitz, a physician, declined to speak with a reporter, though she
reappeared before the school board Monday night. “I’ve been called immoral and
despicable,” she told the board. While the Philadelphia School District
struggles </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadephia-school-district-reopening-teachers-union-20210211.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">to bring some students back to classrooms</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for the first time since March, a
different debate is playing out in its suburbs. Many schools already teaching
students in-person part-time are now grappling with how, and when, to reopen
fully — pushed by increasingly frustrated and vocal parents who say their children
are languishing in front of laptop screens and could be in schools </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/school-philadelphia-cheltenham-covid-reopen-pennsylvania-wissahickon-safety-20210131.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">that have seen little spread</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of the coronavirus so far. Others see
the demands as premature, worried that reducing spacing in classrooms could
endanger teachers and community members vulnerable to the virus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/covid-schools-reopening-philadelphia-parents-pennsylvania-20210212.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/covid-schools-reopening-philadelphia-parents-pennsylvania-20210212.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It looks as if the
reopening timeline for Philly schools could depend on the school<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by
Kristen A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Updated: February 11, 2021- 5:49
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Superintendent
William R. Hite Jr. on Thursday doubled down on his assertion that Philadelphia
public schools are safe for children to return to in-person learning Feb. 22. “I
can confidently say that our schools are ready to open with the proper safety
protocols in place,” Hite said at a news conference at Nebinger Elementary in
South Philadelphia. “The time for reopening is now.” The district is in a
standoff with its teachers’ union, which has directed teachers not to report to
school buildings because of COVID-19-related safety concerns. A mediator is
weighing whether the district met the terms of its reopening agreement with the
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. Susan E. Coffin, a Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia physician and infectious disease specialist who joined Hite, said
in-school instruction can resume safely, even inside old Philadelphia
buildings, if schools are vigilant about mask-wearing, social distancing, and
having staff and students stay home if they’re feeling ill or have known
exposures to COVID-19. “It is possible to have an in-person education during
this period,” Coffin said. “I think actually we’re entering a moment when it’s
more possible than ever.” Hite suggested one solution to getting teachers back
in buildings would be opening some schools and working on improving conditions
in others where there are problems. Philadelphia students have been out of
buildings since March.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadephia-school-district-reopening-teachers-union-20210211.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadephia-school-district-reopening-teachers-union-20210211.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSEA president calls
on Chester and Delaware county officials to insist that county schools maintain
6 feet of social distance<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSEA Press
Release February 10, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psea.org/globalassets/newsstand/news-releases/psealetter-chestercountycommissioners-02102021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">View the letter to Chester County Commissioners and Health Department</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psea.org/globalassets/newsstand/news-releases/psealetter-delawarecountycouncil-02102021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">View the letter to Delaware County Council</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG,
PA (Feb. 10, 2021) – PSEA President Rich Askey today urged Chester County’s
commissioners and Department of Health director and members of the Delaware
County Council to refuse any requests by county schools to waive current social
distancing rules and overcrowd classrooms during a pandemic. Chester County’s
current health guidelines, which Delaware County follows, clearly state that
where in-person learning is planned, schools must maintain 6 feet of physical
distance between students, staff, and faculty in school buildings. If space
limitations prevent that, schools are encouraged to explore other options, such
as hybrid or all virtual learning models. However, the guidelines state: “If
evidence exists that indicates improvements in COVID-19 cases, transmission,
deaths, hospitalizations, etc., schools may consult with the Chester County
Health Department about transitioning to in-person with less than 6 feet of
physical distance (3 feet as a minimum).” Chester and Delaware counties have
had a substantial level of COVID-19 community spread since November. Now is not
the time to ease up on social distancing rules that are keeping students, staff,
and their families safe in classrooms and learning spaces, Askey said. “Educators
and support professionals in Chester and Delaware counties want to be back in
their classrooms and schools with students,” Askey said. “But we cannot do this
safely by waiving current social distancing rules and overcrowding classrooms
and hallways.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psea.org/news--events/newsstand/press-center/news-release---february-10-2021/?fbclid=IwAR1CkhKOAuZapukEL_n-6ySQQY2nlfPGshBRuP0ztQefVKiXruILK89wLuc"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psea.org/news--events/newsstand/press-center/news-release---february-10-2021/?fbclid=IwAR1CkhKOAuZapukEL_n-6ySQQY2nlfPGshBRuP0ztQefVKiXruILK89wLuc</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Letter to the Editor:
Follow pandemic guidelines in Radnor schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Delco Times
Letter by Robert King, President, Radnor Township Educational Association February
11, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To the
Times: Radnor Township School District is in the process of planning a return
of our elementary schools to all-day, in-person learning five days a week,
which ignores the advice of medical professionals and scientists, putting the
safety of students, staff, and their families at risk. According to
Pennsylvania’s public health guidelines, RTSD should remain in hybrid learning
as the school district’s incident rate remains near 80/100k cases. The data
also shows that the status of the wider community continues to be alarming with
Delaware County reporting an incident rate of 132.2/100K cases. Thankfully, the
local rate has been trending downward, but with the emergence of new more
transmissible and deadly variants of COVID-19, the members of RTEA are
compelled to ask why the District is rushing the process of fully opening our
elementary schools when all Radnor families have the option to send their
elementary children to school <i>every day</i> in a well-planned and
implemented hybrid program.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-follow-pandemic-guidelines-in-radnor-schools/article_e566d47c-6cc7-11eb-98e7-d39f1e9287e3.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-follow-pandemic-guidelines-in-radnor-schools/article_e566d47c-6cc7-11eb-98e7-d39f1e9287e3.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hite offers school
tour to show Philadelphia is ready for hybrid reopening<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 11, 2021, 9:24pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As the
School District of Philadelphia and the teachers union wait for the results of
mediation, Superintendent William Hite defended the district’s urgency to begin
hybrid learning for the youngest students and raised the possibility of
extending the school year. Hite also suggested that some school buildings could
open to students, while others that may need to improve their ventilation
systems could remain closed. “Right now, this is an all or nothing
conversation,” he said Thursday at a press conference. “If there are schools
people are worried about, then let us mediate those schools. If it’s the 32
schools with fans in the windows, then let’s bring the others back and not hold
everybody to the same standard when we know we have schools that are safe to
take children today.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/11/22279300/hite-offers-school-tour-to-show-philadelphia-is-ready-for-hybrid-reopening"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/11/22279300/hite-offers-school-tour-to-show-philadelphia-is-ready-for-hybrid-reopening</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As mediator decision
looms, Philly school officials try to quell reopening fears<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 11, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">At a Thursday
press conference, School District of Philadelphia officials defended their
plans to bring some pre-K through grade 2 students back into classrooms on Feb.
22. The event — which featured a tour of George W. Nebinger School in South
Philadelphia — comes as the district and the Philadelphia Federation of
Teachers meet with a mediator to determine if the district has met the
conditions of a memorandum the parties signed last fall. That memorandum lays
out the conditions that must be met for school buildings to safely reopen, and
includes guidelines around ventilation, cleaning, and protective supplies. Superintendent
William Hite said that the mediation sessions began Wednesday, about a week
later than he’d hoped. Hite said that the district invited a state mediator to
help bring “all sides” to the table and begin the hearings </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/stay-home-on-monday-philadelphia-federation-of-teachers-urges-its-members/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">with
Dr. Peter Orris</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, who will rule on the actual issue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/as-mediator-decision-looms-philly-school-officials-try-to-quell-reopening-fears/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/as-mediator-decision-looms-philly-school-officials-try-to-quell-reopening-fears/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Battle of the
'JERKs'? Virtual learning debate pits parents against teachers<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/staff/3330957001/peg-quann/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Peg
Quann</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Bucks County Courier Times February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When a
Central Bucks School District educator who's a state teachers-union official
urged teachers to be on the lookout for "a jerk" on their local
school board ballot, parents weren't having it. They reclaimed the
word, turning it into a political action committee and a rallying cry, sending
their own message to the powerful teachers union. Just last weekend,
they stood proudly with signs that boldly proclaimed JERK, which they adopted
as their own with the acronym imploring teachers to “Just Educate ouR
Kids." They're even having T-shirts printed with the motto.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
name-calling is a side show to the ongoing debate over education during the
COVID-19 pandemic, and the political battle brewing as school boards weigh
options to keep students and educators safe while meeting the educational and
work needs of all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/12/bucks-montgomery-county-school-districts-psea-virtual-learning-unions-covid-coronavirus-pandemic/6718567002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/12/bucks-montgomery-county-school-districts-psea-virtual-learning-unions-covid-coronavirus-pandemic/6718567002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly schools chief
Hite mum on state of standoff with city teachers; stresses schools are safe<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/special-to-the-capital-star/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Special
to the Capital-Star</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By Chanel Hill February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PHILADELPHIA
— School District of Philadelphia superintendent William Hite held his
first in-person weekly press conference in almost a year Thursday due to the
novel coronavirus pandemic. During the presser, which was held at Nebinger
Elementary School in South Philadelphia, Hite reiterated that schools are safe
for children to return to in-person learning. “I can confidently say that our
schools are ready to open with the proper safety protocols in place,” Hite
said. District administrators have plans to transition to a hybrid learning
model — a mix of in-person learning and remote learning — starting Feb. 22 for
pre-k to second grade students. Students opting into hybrid learning will
attend school in person two days per week on their assigned days only — and
engage in digital learning the remaining three days. Families will also have
the chance to opt in at a later date once it’s safe to phase more students into
the school buildings. Families who opted into hybrid learning can choose to
return to 100 percent digital learning at any time. However, once they return
to 100 percent virtual learning, many factors will determine when and if they
can opt back into hybrid learning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/philly-schools-chief-hite-mum-on-state-of-standoff-with-city-teachers-stresses-schools-are-safe/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/philly-schools-chief-hite-mum-on-state-of-standoff-with-city-teachers-stresses-schools-are-safe/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amanda Gorman’s
poetry shows why spoken word belongs in school | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live Guest
Editorial by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kathleen-m-alley-1200226"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kathleen
M. Alley</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/mississippi-state-university-1970"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mississippi
State University</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">; </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mukoma-wa-ngugi-1205002"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mukoma
Wa Ngugi</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cornell-university-1270"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Cornell
University</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wendy-r-williams-1200173"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wendy
R. Williams</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/arizona-state-university-730"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arizona
State University</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb 11, 2021; Posted Feb 11,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Editor’s
note: Not long after Amanda Gorman recited one of her poems at the inauguration
of President Joe Biden on Jan. 20, three of her forthcoming books </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-inauguration-joe-biden-entertainment-poetry-oprah-winfrey-9c51ba6bff092b2c83412e982ff82e13"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">skyrocketed
to three of the top four spots</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on Amazon. She was also selected
to </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/amanda-gorman-coin-toss-super-bowl-2f143853bbe175117216a6968519c2f5"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">recite
an original poem for Super Bowl LV</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Here, three scholars of poetry explain why
the writings of the 22-year-old Gorman – who became the country’s national
youth poet laureate at age 17 – and her rise to fame represent a prime
opportunity for educators to use spoken word poetry as a lively way to engage
students.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">During
my </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.umasspress.com/9781625343970/listen-to-the-poet/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">research
studying a diverse group of spoken word poets in Arizona</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, I learned that adolescents improved their
writing skills, academic performance, confidence and social skills through
writing and performing spoken word poetry. The poets used this medium to heal,
advocate for change and imagine new futures. I noticed that these brave young
writers often delivered stunning lines, such as, “If I sit long enough in a
dark room will I develop like film?” They used poetry to talk back to those who
wronged them. And they used this medium to speak out about injustice. As one
adolescent poet in the study wrote, “We live in a first-world country, yet
inner-city kids still go hungry.” Although spoken word poetry can benefit
adolescents in many ways, K-12 education has been relatively </span></span></span></span><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1554480X.2018.1453817"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">slow to embrace</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> this medium. This is unfortunate,
because spoken word poetry and other </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/english/literacy/multimodal/Pages/createmultimodal.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">creative
forms of writing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> such as songs, short films, animated
works and comics can help young people gain important skills necessary to
do </span></span></span></span><a href="http://wpacouncil.org/aws/CWPA/asset_manager/get_file/350201?ver=7548"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">college-level
writing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/amanda-gormans-poetry-shows-why-spoken-word-belongs-in-school-opinion.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/amanda-gormans-poetry-shows-why-spoken-word-belongs-in-school-opinion.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A crisis of racist
anti-Asian speech surfaces at Lower Moreland High School<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/hannah-chinn/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hannah Chinn</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Frustrated.
Disappointed. Embarrassed. Unsafe. Angry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">That’s how
students, parents, and community members have described their feelings to Lower
Moreland Township School District officials in </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lmtsd.org/cms/lib/PA01000427/Centricity/Domain/74/01_19_2021%20Board%20Public%20Comments%20and%20Questions.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">public
comment submissions</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lmtsd.org/cms/lib/PA01000427/Centricity/Domain/74/02_02_2021%20Board%20Public%20Comments%20and%20Questions.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">over
the past month</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Their messages come in response to a string
of events that have followed the resurfacing of students’ anti-Asian hate
speech on social media — a flashpoint event that led to widespread concern over
racism in the classroom and outside of it. Now, the district says it’s working
to address those concerns. According to </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lowermorelandtownshipmontgomerycountypennsylvania/BZA210218"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2019
census data</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Lower Moreland Township is 81.5% white,
13.6% Asian, and 3.2% Black, with a very small percentage of Latino residents.
The local high school </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.publicschoolreview.com/lower-moreland-high-school-profile"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">reports
21% enrollment of students of color</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/a-crisis-of-racist-anti-asian-speech-surfaces-at-lower-moreland-high-school/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/a-crisis-of-racist-anti-asian-speech-surfaces-at-lower-moreland-high-school/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Erie School District
to join others in suing Juul, claiming vaping company targeted minors<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/staff/5737752002/ed-palattella/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ed
Palattella</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Erie Times-News February 12, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Erie School Board approves filing of a
lawsuit against e-cigarette company Juul<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Like other suits nationwide, Erie suit
would claim Juul's marketing targeted minors<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Juul says it aims "to reset vapor
category in the U.S."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Erie
School District is joining scores of public school districts and other
government entities nationwide in taking legal action over
underage vaping. The Erie School Board has authorized the district
to sue Juul Labs Inc., claiming the nation's largest electronic
cigarette company wrongfully marketed
its products — with their streamlined designs and fruity
flavors — to youth, spurring a vaping epidemic among students,
harming their health and adding to the district's costs. The School Board
at its monthly meeting on Wednesday night unanimously approved a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/eriesd/Board.nsf/files/BXXLV555EC05/$file/DOCS%232227252%23v1ESD%20JUUL%20Fee%20Agreement_.pdf" target="_blank"></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with three law firms to pursue the litigation
against Juul, the first step in what will lead to the filing of a lawsuit in
what could be U.S. District Court in Erie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/story/news/education/2021/02/12/erie-school-district-sue-e-cigarette-maker-juul-over-youth-vaping/6718289002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.goerie.com/story/news/education/2021/02/12/erie-school-district-sue-e-cigarette-maker-juul-over-youth-vaping/6718289002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Candidates line up
for GOP nomination for open Pa. Senate seat; Democrats still searching for one<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/jmurphy/posts.html" title="Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated 10:25 AM; Today 10:23 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nine
candidates have stepped forward to indicate an interest in being the Republican
nominee for the 48th state senatorial district seat that will be filled
in </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/special-election-date-set-to-fill-seat-left-vacant-by-sen-dave-arnolds-death.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">a special election set to coincide with the May 18 primary</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, while local Democratic leaders await their
first candidate to announce. The predominantly Republican district represents
all of Lebanon County and parts of Dauphin and York counties, and the slate of
Republicans seeking their party’s nomination include residents from all three
counties. They are: Gregory Moreland, Larry Minnich, William Bering Jr.,
Christopher Gebhard, Kenneth Rummel, and Thomas Morrissey Jr., all from Lebanon
County; Maureen Roth from Dauphin County; and Thomas Ryan and Robert Harkins
from York County. Lebanon County GOP Committee Chairman Ed Lynch said no firm
date has been set for the Republican conferees to meet to select their party’s
nominee. Dauphin County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Rogette Harris said no
date has been confirmed for their nomination convention either. The seat became
vacant due to </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pa-senator-dies-from-brain-cancer-at-age-49.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the Jan. 17 death of Dave Arnold </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">from a form of brain cancer. Arnold had
served in the seat for about a year after being elected in a special election
last January to fill the seat vacated in September 2019 by Mike Folmer,
who </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/pa-senator-resigns-day-after-being-charged-with-possession-child-pornography.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">resigned
after being charged with child pornography possession.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Arnold’s term was due to expire Nov.
30, 2022, so his successor would serve out the remainder of his term.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/candidates-line-up-for-gop-nomination-for-open-pa-senate-seat-democrats-still-searching-for-one.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/candidates-line-up-for-gop-nomination-for-open-pa-senate-seat-democrats-still-searching-for-one.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Follow the Money:
2020 Pennsylvania Campaign Finance Summary<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">See who gave, who got
and how much in Pennsylvania in 2020<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">TransparencyUSA.org<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.transparencyusa.org/pa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.transparencyusa.org/pa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Top 10 Individual
Donors in Pennsylvania in 2020<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by Transparency
USA 09/29/2020<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In
Pennsylvania, key state races are drawing the attention of prominent donors for
the 2020 election cycle. These individual donors — most of them with deep
pockets and C-suite titles — have been contributing large sums to the campaigns
and candidates involved in races across the Keystone State. Here is a look at
the top ten individual donors who are bankrolling candidates and campaigns in
Pennsylvania state-level politics this year:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.transparencyusa.org/article/top-10-individual-donors-in-pennsylvania"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.transparencyusa.org/article/top-10-individual-donors-in-pennsylvania</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA sends General
Assembly new Closer Look on school district budgeting<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 8, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">As the
General Assembly begins the annual cycle of adopting a new state budget, PSBA
believes it is important that legislators are aware of process that school
boards undertake to develop and adopt their district budgets. PSBA recently
provided all members of the Senate and House of Representatives with its
new <i>Closer Look</i> publication that explains the process as
required under state law. PSBA also urged legislators to connect with their
local school schools and offered to assist in making those connections. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Budget-process.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click here</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to read the <i>Closer Look</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">White House says it
will defer to CDC on reopening schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/associated-press/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Associated Press</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Collin Binkley February 11, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facing
criticism that President Joe Biden has not acted aggressively enough on
reopening schools, the White House on Thursday said it’s aiming for a full
reopening but will defer to science experts on how to achieve it in the middle
of a pandemic. The White House drew criticism this week when it said schools
would be considered opened if they teach in-person at least one day a week.
Asked about it Thursday, press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden hopes to get
students in the classroom five days a week as soon as it’s safe. Psaki did not
detail a timeline for that milestone, however, saying the administration will
act on new school guidance that’s expected to be released Friday by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/white-house-says-it-will-defer-to-cdc-on-reopening-schools/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/white-house-says-it-will-defer-to-cdc-on-reopening-schools/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden Trims Ambitions
on School Reopening Pledge<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As the White
House struggles to flesh out President Biden’s promise to reopen schools within
100 days, aides have found themselves steadily lowering expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nytimes.com/by/erica-l-green"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erica L. Green</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb. 11, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WASHINGTON —
President Biden appeared to give many educators and parents what they had been
seeking for nearly a year when he pledged in the first days of his White House
to reopen schools by his 100th day in office: a plan. But as the White House
struggles to turn the president’s lofty pitch into reality, Biden aides are
finding it rough going against new variants of the coronavirus, protests of
teachers’ unions, and the fears and frustrations of students and parents. In
the weeks since being elected, Mr. Biden has narrowed his calls for reopening
all schools to just elementary and middle schools. And in the past week, the
White House has sought to temper even those expectations, setting a reopening
benchmark of “the majority of schools” — or 51 percent. On Tuesday, in response
to questions about what “open schools” meant, the White House press secretary,
Jen Psaki, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/02/09/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-february-9-2021/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">set the threshold</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of
more than 50 percent of schools offering in-person teaching at least one day a
week. On Wednesday, when asked why the threshold was so low — about half the
nation’s students are attending school in person, and a majority of districts
nationwide are offering at least some in-person learning already — Ms. Psaki
indicated it was a starting point, but said it was part of a “bold and
ambitious agenda.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/us/politics/biden-schools-reopening.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/us/politics/biden-schools-reopening.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Miguel Cardona Takes
Key Step Forward in Drama-Free Senate Committee Vote<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 11, 2021 1 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
secretary nominee Miguel Cardona speaks during a Senate Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the nomination on Feb. 3, 2021, in
Washington. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/who-is-miguel-cardona-education-secretary-pick-has-roots-in-classroom-principals-office/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miguel
Cardona</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> took a key step towards becoming U.S.
secretary of education Thursday when the Senate education committee reported
his nomination favorably to the full Senate. The Senate voted 17-5 in Cardona’s
favor. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the committee chairwoman, voted for Cardona
and cited his “clear qualifications.” And Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the
committee’s ranking Republican, also voted for Cardona, citing his experience
and priorities. “He’s stressed the need for students to be back in school, and
that’s now, finally, a bipartisan mission,” Burr said of Cardona. Next up for
Cardona is a final Senate confirmation vote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/miguel-cardona-takes-key-step-forward-in-drama-free-senate-committee-vote/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/miguel-cardona-takes-key-step-forward-in-drama-free-senate-committee-vote/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Miles Davis - My
Funny Valentine 1964 Milan, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube
Runtime 12:01<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Miles Davis:
Trumpet Wayne Shorter: Sax Herbie Hancock: Piano Ron Carter: Bass Tony
Williams: Drums <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKEfyXPt91U&list=RDQKEfyXPt91U&start_radio=1"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKEfyXPt91U&list=RDQKEfyXPt91U&start_radio=1</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CHET BAKER - My Funny
Valentine<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube
Runtime 9:57<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOEIQKczRPY&list=RDQKEfyXPt91U&index=4"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOEIQKczRPY&list=RDQKEfyXPt91U&index=4</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>2021 PA
Educational Leadership Summit</b>, hosted by the<i> PA Principals
Association</i> and the <i>PA Association of School Administrators
(PASA)</i>, is being held from <b>August 1-3 at the Kalahari Resorts and
Convention Center, Poconos</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA
Principals Association Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:54 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PIL Hours
Available! See links below to register and for further information.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://ppa13.wildapricot.org/event-4167130" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click
here to register today!</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/summit21/Datesaver%202021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Click here for the informational flyer and details</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST GROVE—There
will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on Wednesday,
Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">353 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for
Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-627528909917137492021-02-11T09:24:00.004-05:002021-02-11T09:24:55.141-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 11, 2021: Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 11, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for
Charter Change!</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PSBA Charter Change Website: </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></i></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Reopening schools is probably the most
thorny and challenging of all the problems presented by the pandemic. Every
side represents opposing pressures: parents with jobs who need kids to be in
school, educators and other child advocates alarmed about the devastating loss
not only of in-person learning, but social supports provided by schools, and
families and teachers concerned about safety. Add this to lack of consistent
guidance or support from the federal government, and it’s a dilemma playing out
in school districts across the country, with few satisfactory solutions.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">More voices needed on
reopening Philly schools, including Mayor Kenney’s | Editorial<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="mailto:The%20Inquirer%20Editorial%20Board%C2%A0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Inquirer Editorial
Board </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">| </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:opinion@inquirer.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">opinion@inquirer.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Posted: February 11, 2021 - 5:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The latest
public school debacle unfolded this week when </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-teachers-union-pft-20210208.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">teachers refused to return to classrooms</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> at the direction of Philadelphia
Federation of Teachers boss Jerry Jordan, defying Superintendent William Hite’s
directive for them to show up. When Hite threatened no-shows with discipline,
Mayor Jim Kenney stepped in and said teachers could stay away after all. The
call was for 2,000 teachers to return to classrooms Monday to prepare a limited
reopening for about 9,000 pre-K through second grade students on February 22.
The district says it has worked to make buildings safe for return, but
the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-teachers-union-reopening-20210209.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PFT balked at some elements</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of the plans for ventilation. Hence the
showdown. <a name="_Hlk63916025">Reopening schools is probably the most thorny
and challenging of all the problems presented by the pandemic. Every side
represents opposing pressures: parents with jobs who need kids to be in school,
educators and other child advocates alarmed about the devastating loss not only
of in-person learning, but social supports provided by schools, and families
and teachers concerned about safety. Add this to lack of consistent guidance or
support from the federal government, and it’s a dilemma playing out in school
districts across the country, with few satisfactory solutions.<o:p></o:p></a></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63916025;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-schools-reopening-teacher-protest-pft-hite-ventilation-20210211.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-schools-reopening-teacher-protest-pft-hite-ventilation-20210211.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pittsburgh City
Council moves forward with plan to open talks with school board<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN AND ASHLEY MURRAY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette FEB 10, 2021 5:03 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">City Council
will move forward with its plan to open conversations with Pittsburgh Public
Schools officials on how it can help the district reopen schools amid the
COVID-19 pandemic and solve issues of inequities and low achievement levels. Council
on Wednesday approved holding a series of public hearings with district
officials after council members Ricky Burgess and Daniel Lavelle last week
introduced legislation declaring an “educational emergency” in Pittsburgh.
"I'm going to work with council in terms of how we move forward
together," Mr. Burgess said. "I am hopeful that we'll start this
process in February." The school board has expressed willingness to work
with the city, but some board members objected to council’s approach to the
matter because the government and the district operate as separate entities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/10/Pittsburgh-City-Council-moves-forward-plan-open-talks-PPS-public-schools-board-covid-19/stories/202102100129"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/10/Pittsburgh-City-Council-moves-forward-plan-open-talks-PPS-public-schools-board-covid-19/stories/202102100129</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Northampton Area,
Southern Lehigh will start bringing students back for 4-day in-person
instruction in March<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-kayla-dwyer-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KAYLA
DWYER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | FEB 10, 2021 AT 5:56
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two Lehigh
Valley school districts on Wednesday announced plans to phase students back
into the classroom four days a week beginning in March, eliminating the hybrid
option but keeping an all-virtual option for families who are not comfortable. Southern
Lehigh School District makes the transition March 1 for students in all grade
levels whose families choose for them to learn in person; Northampton Area
School District will bring students back in phases, beginning March 9 for
kindergarten through second grade, according to letters the respective
superintendents sent to families. Both districts had previously been in hybrid
learning for all grade levels. Northampton had been planning for this since
before the winter holidays, Superintendent Joe Kovalchik said, but spikes in
COVID-19 cases in the community during the holidays led him to revert to online
learning from mid-December to mid-January. The decision to bring back the lower
grades first was based on lower transmission rates among young children and the
smaller class sizes the district already has at that level, Kovalchik said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-northampton-schools-instructional-model-change-20210210-4j2zmmzf5rauppvqmemyksfbqy-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-northampton-schools-instructional-model-change-20210210-4j2zmmzf5rauppvqmemyksfbqy-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">North Penn board OKs
five-day return for students starting Feb. 22<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">North Penn
Reporter </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:By%20Dan%20Sokil%20dsokil@21st-centurymedia.com%20@dansokil%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">By Dan
Sokil dsokil@21st-centurymedia.com @dansokil on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 11, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">LANSDALE —
The community has spoken, North Penn School District officials have heard them,
and students could be back in school full-time soon. The district's school
board voted Tuesday night to prepare for five-day in-person instruction
starting Feb. 22, for those students who choose to do so. "A motion: to
return students to five-day in-person learning, or virtual, or hybrid, or
whatever they so desire, beginning on February 22nd," said board Vice
President Christian Fusco, before the board unanimously approved it. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thereporteronline.com/news/north-penn-survey-coming-testing-underway-as-board-talks-full-return/article_6cf1146e-5ccb-11eb-a54e-a3b21be420d2.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In late January</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> the
school board approved a new round of surveys for parents of district students,
as staff reported on efforts to plan a return from fully virtual learning </span></span></span></span><a href="https://resources.npenn.org/20-21_school_reopening/hybrid_in-_person_instruction_schedule_calendar" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">in early January</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, to a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thereporteronline.com/news/north-penn-staff-board-react-as-students-return-to-school-again/article_1132c0b6-397e-11eb-a5d2-673153043c71.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">split-hybrid return</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> with
alternating groups of students in school since then, and toward a full five-day
a week return parents have pushed for. During </span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/qCqLw4JLk2Q?t=2881" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tuesday
night's school board meeting</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Dietrich
outlined the results of the latest survey data and steps staff will need
to take to make a full return possible for those who want it. "We recently
asked our parents if they desire fully virtual, hybrid, or the third choice, of
five days of in-person instruction per week," he said. "Our
principals and our central office administrators have been reviewing the
results, and are looking at various solutions to meet the ask," Dietrich
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thereporteronline.com/news/north-penn-board-oks-five-day-return-for-students-starting-feb-22/article_77dd2a4a-6bc9-11eb-89be-6322f1c243c0.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thereporteronline.com/news/north-penn-board-oks-five-day-return-for-students-starting-feb-22/article_77dd2a4a-6bc9-11eb-89be-6322f1c243c0.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wheatland Middle
School to go virtual after staff shortage<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/staff/lancasteronlinestaff"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">LANCASTERONLINE
| Staff</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 10, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wheatland
Middle School will immediately move to a virtual format through Wednesday, Feb.
17 due to a shortage of staff, the School District of Lancaster announced on
Wednesday. All students will report to class online beginning Thursday, Feb.
11, the school district announced. Students will keep their regular class
schedule. Though the school does not currently have any cases of COVID-19, the
virus is currently keeping an unspecified number of employees in isolation or
in quarantine, making it difficult to provide coverage for students, the school
district said. “While this brief closure is unfortunate, these practices are to
ensure the health and safety of our students and staff,” Superintendent Dr.
Damaris Rau wrote to families in a letter Wednesday. “We will not compromise
that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/schools/wheatland-middle-school-to-go-virtual-after-staff-shortage/article_fe3b937e-6bfb-11eb-8be2-e359c999b322.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/schools/wheatland-middle-school-to-go-virtual-after-staff-shortage/article_fe3b937e-6bfb-11eb-8be2-e359c999b322.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The 11,000-student Erie School District
started its hybrid program for its 4,900 elementary school students on Feb. 1. Since
the first day of school, on Sept. 8, all district students had been
taking remote-only classes, with exceptions for some special
education students and career and technical school students in high school.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Erie School District
to poll high schoolers about return; bids awarded for Erie High work<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/staff/5737752002/ed-palattella/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ed
Palattella</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Erie Times-News<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Erie School Board on Wednesday night
approved sending survey to high school students for return to in-person
classes under hybrid plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Erie School District wants to bring
middle, high school students back by start of fourth quarter on April 7<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School Board also awarded bids for Erie
High renovation project<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Families of
high school students in the Erie School District are next up for answering the
big question related to the pandemic. After asking how many middle school
families want their children to return to in-person classes with a hybrid
approach, the Erie School District is surveying high school families for the
same reason. The Erie School Board on </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSb33MzbGfg" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wednesday
night </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">consented to the district administration
sending a survey to high school families about students' plans. The
district will use the survey results as it works to bring high school students
back to class on April 7, the start of the fourth quarter, or possibly
earlier. The survey will go out on Friday, district spokeswoman Erica Erwin
said. The Erie School District is targeting the same return date of April
7,or possibly earlier, for its middle school students. The middle school
survey showed that 65% to 70% of those students want to return to school under
the hybrid program, which features rotating in-person and online-only classes,
Assistant Superintendent Teresa Szumigala told the School Board on Wednesday
night. District students can choose to stay remote-only under the hybrid plan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/story/news/education/2021/02/10/erie-school-district-survey-high-school-students-return/4466594001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.goerie.com/story/news/education/2021/02/10/erie-school-district-survey-high-school-students-return/4466594001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Council members offer
support to three Philadelphia school board nominees<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 10, 2021, 6:22pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">City Council
members questioned Mayor Jim Kenney’s three new nominees to the Board of
Education Wednesday, offering all of them strong support and a word of caution
about the difficulty of the volunteer position. “It can be a thankless job,”
said Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, chair of council’s education
committee. Council president Darrell Clarke concluded the 90-minute hearing
with the words, “It will be a challenge for you.” The three appointees are Lisa
Salley, an engineer and businesswoman; longtime education activist Cecelia
Thompson; and attorney Reginald Streeter, who sits on the board of the
Philadelphia ACLU. All three are lifelong Philadelphians who graduated from the
city’s public schools. They are all Black, potentially making the board </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.philasd.org/schoolboard/about/who-we-are/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">composition
six </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Black members, one Latina, and two white
members. If the three are approved and seated, Streeter also will be the only
male on the nine-member board. The hearing was held in the council’s capacity
as Committee of the Whole, which voted unanimously to put the nominees before
the full body. A vote to approve will be held Feb. 18. The next board of
education action meeting is Feb. 25.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/10/22277243/council-members-offer-support-to-three-philadelphia-school-board-nominees"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/10/22277243/council-members-offer-support-to-three-philadelphia-school-board-nominees</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Made in Philadelphia,
the ‘first modern computer’ is celebrated on 75th anniversary<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/avril_tom/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by Tom Avril</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 11, 2021- 5:00
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Imagine life
without your laptop, your smartphone, even such ordinary electronic gadgets as
your alarm clock. The ancestor of them all — a room-sized contraption made of
switches, cables, and 18,000 glass containers called vacuum tubes was unveiled
to the public 75 years ago this week, in a lab at the University of
Pennsylvania. Called ENIAC, it was the first all-electronic, programmable
computer. Historians, engineers, and tech aficionados are celebrating its
creation in a weeklong series of events, starting Thursday. And unlike in some
past anniversary celebrations, organizers are recognizing not only the men who built
the massive device, but also the pioneering women who programmed it. With its
coding prowess, Silicon Valley can claim to be the center of today’s tech
world. But with the wartime effort to build ENIAC, Philadelphia laid the
groundwork with both sides of the computer equation: hardware and software.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/science/eniac-75-anniversary-computer-penn-philadelphia-20210211.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/science/eniac-75-anniversary-computer-penn-philadelphia-20210211.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Greenleaf was a Republican member of
the state Senate between 1978 until retiring in 2019, earning recognition
for passing and influencing more legislation than any other member of the
General Assembly in session at the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Former PA state Sen.
Stewart Greenleaf dies at 81<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/staff/5573447002/chris-ullery/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Chris
Ullery</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Bucks County Courier Times February 10, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Former state
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, who represented the 12th District in parts of Bucks and
Montgomery counties, died Wednesday at 81. News of Greenleaf's death first
appeared via the Twitter account of Patrick Cawley, former Counsel to
the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee and current attorney for
Keystone Elder Law P.C., of Mechanicsburg. "A great mentor, Pennsylvania
Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf, has died. A rarity in today's politics, he cared
about justice above partisanship and was a work horse to achieve it. He taught
me much about protecting the dignity of vulnerable people. Godspeed to an
extraordinary man," Cawley wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/10/stewart-greenleaf-sr-former-pa-state-senator-dies-81/6708709002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/10/stewart-greenleaf-sr-former-pa-state-senator-dies-81/6708709002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mars school district,
teachers union continue negotiations ahead of Feb. 19 strike deadline<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Post Gazette
by SANDY TROZZO FEB 10, 2021 3:21 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Negotiations
between the Mars Area School District and its teachers union have produced
agreement on several issues as both sides face down a Feb. 19 deadline before a
possible teachers strike. “We are committed to working toward a fair
settlement,” Joe Graff, president of the Mars Area Education Association, said
following a seven-hour negotiating session on Monday. “It is not personal.
There is obviously a difference of opinion, a disagreement on numbers, but
there is a hope that a settlement is reached.” Monday’s meeting was the 15th
bargaining session since the contract expired June 30, 2020. Another round of
talks are scheduled for Thursday, followed by additional sessions Feb. 16, 17
and 18.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2021/02/10/Mars-school-district-teachers-union-continue-negotiations-ahead-of-Feb-19-strike-deadline/stories/202102100139"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2021/02/10/Mars-school-district-teachers-union-continue-negotiations-ahead-of-Feb-19-strike-deadline/stories/202102100139</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Will There Be
Standardized Tests This Year? 8 Questions Answered<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> & </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/sarah-schwartz"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sarah Schwartz</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 09, 2021 12 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With spring
around the corner and end-of-year state testing season looming, there’s still
uncertainty about what standardized assessments will actually look like this
year—or whether schools will give them at all. In the early months of the
COVID-19 pandemic last spring, the U.S. Department of Education approved
requests from all 50 states to be excused from the standardized testing
required by federal law. In fall 2020, then-Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos
said that the Education Department wouldn’t be granting these waivers again,
but with the change in administration, the decision will be up to President Joe
Biden’s nominee for education secretary, Miguel Cardona. Proponents of giving
the exams this year argue that the data are necessary to quantify student
learning loss during the pandemic and to help target support to the kids who
need it. But others say that testing adds another stressor to an already
difficult year and presents insurmountable logistical challenges—safety risks
for testing in person, and validity issues testing remotely. Amid these
debates, educators planning for testing windows this year have practical
questions: Will the exams happen? If so what will they look like, and how will
the results be used? Education Week answers some of the most-pressing questions
below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/will-there-be-standardized-tests-this-year-8-questions-answered/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/will-there-be-standardized-tests-this-year-8-questions-answered/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST GROVE—There
will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on Wednesday,
Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">351 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for
Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-79526455086045544552021-02-10T08:27:00.000-05:002021-02-10T08:27:37.738-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 10, 2021: Pa. has a chance to reform our struggling schools. Will the legislature let it happen? | Opinion<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 10, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. has a chance to
reform our struggling schools. Will the legislature let it happen? | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for
Charter Change!</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PSBA Charter Change Website: </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. has a chance to
reform our struggling schools. Will the legislature let it happen? | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Commentary
by Frank Gallagher, For the Inquirer Posted: February 9, 2021 - 1:33 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Frank
Gallagher is the superintendent of the Souderton Area School District and the
chair of LEARN, a coalition of Pennsylvania school superintendents working to
improve charter school accountability, limit school privatization, and
encourage youth to choose public education as a career.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pennsylvania
has a real chance to change its </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/wolf-taking-action-to-reforms-to-pas-flawed-and-outdated-charter-school-law-that-he-calls-one-of-the-worst-in-the-nation.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">worst-in-the-nation</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> reputation
when it comes to education funding. It is a reputation we should run from — the
most inequitably funded education system and the worst charter school law in
the nation. Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed putting Pennsylvania on a new
trajectory </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/gov-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-income-tax-public-schools-20210202.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">with $1.5 billion in additional education funding</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and a plan to make the most underfunded
districts whole. He also called for comprehensive reform of Pennsylvania’s
24-year-old charter school law — to eliminate wasteful charter school spending
and set higher standards to improve performance. With this budget, Pennsylvania
can move from the back of the class to the best in the nation. The General
Assembly should not pass up this opportunity to right these two wrongs. You
don’t have to agree with the precise distribution of funds in the governor’s
proposal to admire the boldness of the idea — students in Philadelphia,
Norristown, Pottstown, Bensalem, and other inequitably funded districts getting
the resources they need to compete and succeed next year, not in the next
decade. Charter schools and funding adequacy are two sides of the same coin. To
break this cycle, a comprehensive reform bill must address both funding reform
and accountability.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-budget-charter-school-reform-education-20210209.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-budget-charter-school-reform-education-20210209.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA SCHOOLS WORK:
Budget Deep Dive Webinar —What Gov. Wolf's Budget Proposal Means for Public
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tue, Feb 16, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA school
advocates take a deep dive into the details of Governor Tom Wolf's 2021-22
budget proposal and what the bold investment in public education would mean for
school districts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4209576337238986766"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4209576337238986766</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf,
lawmakers form joint COVID-19 vaccine task force<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live by
By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/rsouthwi/posts.html" title="Ron Southwick | rsouthwick@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ron Southwick | rsouthwick@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb 09, 2021; Posted Feb 09,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s administration is teaming up with several state lawmakers on a new task
force on the COVID-19 vaccine. Pennsylvania is still in the early phase of
distributing the COVID-19 vaccines and some lawmakers, Republicans and
Democrats alike, have voiced concerns about the pace of the rollout. The task
force will include key members of the Wolf administration and Democratic and
Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate. Wolf said the task force will
help improve communication and address issues and solutions. “We have a good
working relationship with our legislators, and we know they are the eyes, ears,
and voices for Pennsylvanians,” Wolf said in a statement. “The feedback they
receive from their local communities is extremely important, particularly as
the commonwealth continues to improve upon this once-in-a-generation vaccine
rollout. “Working with leaders from each caucus in the General Assembly, we are
creating a task force to ensure collaboration and strengthen communications
about the state’s vaccine plan,” Wolf said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-lawmakers-form-joint-covid-19-vaccine-task-force.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-lawmakers-form-joint-covid-19-vaccine-task-force.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York Academy
implements new pool testing to track COVID-19 cases in schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erin
Bamer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Dispatch February 9, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York Academy
Regional Charter School is taking a unique approach to test students and staff
for COVID-19. The school reopened both its buildings for four days a week
in February, and is testing students and staff in groups by their classroom.
CEO Angela Sugarek said she is not aware of any other schools in Pennsylvania
using this method. "I think Pennsylvania is behind the 8-ball,"
she said. Up to 35 students and staff in one classroom can take the test
in one group. The test uses a self-administered nasal swab, and can report back
within two days whether there is a positive COVID-19 case within that group,
Sugarek said. The charter school tested this method among staff the week
before the school reopened, and found one employee who did not
exhibit symptoms until a few days later, Sugarek said. In the first week
back at school last week, she said the tests found two
classrooms with positive cases. The pool tests cost $100 for each
group, Sugarek said, while individual COVID-19 tests cost $100 per person. To
save money, she said when the school identifies a positive pool, they
instruct the people in that pool to quarantine and give them the same
test again in smaller groups. When they find the smaller group with a positive
case, then they administer the individual tests. Sugarek said she expects the
charter will pay about $4,000 per week for the pool testing, using funds
the charter school received through the CARES Act. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/09/york-academy-implements-new-pool-testing-track-covid-19-cases-schools/4448557001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/09/york-academy-implements-new-pool-testing-track-covid-19-cases-schools/4448557001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York Suburban
elementary schools to move to four days of in-person learning<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erin
Bamer</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Dispatch February 9, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York
Suburban School District's four elementary schools will allow students to
return to the classroom for four days a week starting March 1. The school
board voted 6-3 Monday night to transition its K-5 students out of the
district's current hybrid model. York Suburban's middle school and high school
will remain in hybrid learning, which sees students in the classroom two days a
week. The district has operated under the hybrid model since August.
Superintendent Timothy Williams said officials went with the hybrid system to
ensure all students could be kept 6 feet apart. "We thought we were
taking the best approach at the time, and I still think we took the best
approach at the time," Williams said. Williams said
he recommended the board allow elementary students to return to class four
days a week after he observed other districts holding elementary classes
full-time successfully. He said although it is clear these districts are not
maintaining 6 feet of distancing between students, they are still keeping their
COVID-19 cases low. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/09/york-suburban-elementary-schools-move-four-days-person-learning/4444416001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/09/york-suburban-elementary-schools-move-four-days-person-learning/4444416001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Day after protests,
mayor talks ventilation, vaccination plan for Philadelphia teachers<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 9, 2021, 6:07pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A day
after </span></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/8/22273246/mayor-unveils-vaccination-plan-as-philadelphia-teachers-protest-return-to-school-buildings"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">citywide
teacher protests</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> about school reopening, the mayor and
health commissioner announced more details about a vaccination plan for
educators and promised to bring in outside help to improve ventilation in
schools, if necessary. The vaccinations will be offered starting the week of
Feb. 22, at the Roberts Center on the campus of the Children’s Hospital of
Pennsylvania, or CHOP, plus six different school-based locations, said Dr.
Thomas Farley. Those additional sites have not been determined yet. The plan
requires schools to provide a list of names of their staff to CHOP. The school
will then notify their staff about how they can contact the hospital to
schedule an appointment. CHOP still is deciding how they will invite child care
staff. Students are expected to return to school buildings the week the
vaccination program starts. Addressing teachers concerns about returning
without being vaccinated, Farley said, “I think people can prevent spread in
schools if they follow safety precautions. So I don’t think vaccinations are
necessary for schools to be open. Teachers should go to school to work to
provide the kids with an education. But if we wait until every teacher gets the
vaccine then we may miss the entire school year.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/9/22275339/day-after-protests-mayor-talks-ventilation-vaccination-plan-for-philadelphia-teachers"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/9/22275339/day-after-protests-mayor-talks-ventilation-vaccination-plan-for-philadelphia-teachers</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly teachers don’t
report to school buildings for a second day; teacher vaccinations expected to
start Feb. 22<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by
Kristen A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/mcdaniel_justine/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Justine
McDaniel</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 9, 2021- 3:22 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">City
educators declined in droves to report to schools for a second day as the
Philadelphia School District and its largest union waited for word from a
mediator on whether 2,000 teachers can be forced back into buildings. Philadelphia
public schools are scheduled to reopen for prekindergarten through second
grades Feb. 22. Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. had wanted 2,000 teachers
back in buildings Monday, but the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers led a
citywide action instead, with thousands teaching from outside buildings or
working from home. The PFT has said </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-teachers-union-pft-20210208.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">it does not believe buildings are safe</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for re-occupancy. Hite had threatened
discipline for teachers who did not show up to school buildings, but the city
intervened late Sunday night, telling teachers they did not have to report to
work until a neutral third party, Chicago doctor and public health expert Peter
Orris, weighed in on whether the district had met safety standards. That’s
expected to happen soon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-teachers-union-reopening-20210209.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-teachers-union-reopening-20210209.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Child welfare
nonprofits in Philly call for teachers to return to classrooms<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/miles-bryan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miles Bryan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 9, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thirteen
city nonprofits that work with children and families released a statement
Tuesday calling on the teachers union to abandon its battle with the School
District of Philadelphia and allow some teachers to return to their classrooms.
The district had asked some teachers to report to school buildings yesterday
ahead of a planned return of up to 9,000 young children to their classrooms
later this month. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has objected, arguing
that buildings are not yet safe because of ventilation problems and that
members should be vaccinated before returning. Both sides now await a decision
from a city-appointed mediator. The nonprofit coalition argues that schools can
be reopened safely this month, but teachers must heed the district’s call to
return in order to begin that process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/child-welfare-nonprofits-in-philly-call-for-teachers-to-return-to-classrooms/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/child-welfare-nonprofits-in-philly-call-for-teachers-to-return-to-classrooms/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What to know about
the debate over reopening Philly schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Balancing
students needs against teacher and community COVID safety concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Billy Penn
by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://billypenn.com/about/layla-a-jones/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Layla A. Jones</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Yesterday, 8:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Philly
teachers staged protests in the freezing cold Monday against what their union
called a premature and unsafe return to in-person learning. Coordinated by the
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, thousands of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-teachers-union-pft-20210208.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">faculty,
staff and advocates</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> held a series of demonstrations </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-teachers-protest-return-to-classroom-plan-as-officials-wait-for-mediator-decision/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">outside
schools across the city</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, from
Wynnefield to Center City to North Philly. The day ended with a rally at
the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/powerinterfaith/status/1358886185016430600"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">School
District of Philadelphia headquarters</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on North Broad Street. Staff had been
expected to return to their buildings on Feb. 8, two weeks before students’
planned Feb. 22 start date. This is Philly’s third attempt at returning to the
classroom in some capacity, but teachers have not yet been offered appointments
for the COVID vaccine. On Monday, Mayor Jim Kenney’s office announced </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-partners-with-chop-to-vaccinate-educators-at-pop-up-clinics/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">pop-up
vaccination clinics for teachers and childcare providers</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> would launch at the end of February, in
partnership with CHOP. After initially threatening to discipline teachers who
refused to report as directed, the School District of Philadelphia backed off
when the mayor’s office stepped in Sunday night, saying a third-party mediator
would intervene.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://billypenn.com/2021/02/09/philadelphia-school-reopening-debate-teacher-protests-covid-safety-window-fans/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://billypenn.com/2021/02/09/philadelphia-school-reopening-debate-teacher-protests-covid-safety-window-fans/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teach Plus
Pennsylvania applauds Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed budget for 2021-22, which
includes nearly $2 billion in new funding for public schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Teach Plus
and Teach Plus teacher leaders are pleased to see Governor Wolf’s proposal for
a historic, much-needed investment in Pennsylvania’s schools and students,”
said Laura Boyce, Teach Plus Pennsylvania Executive Director. “The vast
majority of schools across the Commonwealth are chronically underfunded, and
the pandemic has only exacerbated inequities in educational access and district
budget shortfalls. If passed, this proposal would be a major step toward educational
equity and fair funding in Pennsylvania, and would particularly benefit
students of color and low-income students, who disproportionately attend
underfunded schools.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://cm.teachplus.org/t/r-EE9F246882558EEC2540EF23F30FEDED"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://cm.teachplus.org/t/r-EE9F246882558EEC2540EF23F30FEDED</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">More info on Teach Plus PA here…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teach Plus
Pennsylvania<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teach Plus
PA Website<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">+</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Teach Plus PA launched in 2017 with the
T3 program in the School District of Philadelphia, where T3 teacher leaders
receive Teach Plus coaching and support to lead their grade teams and improve
student outcomes. In the first three years, T3 partner schools improved faster
than the district average and developed systems of shared leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">+</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> In 2020, Teach Plus PA renewed its T3
partnership with the School District of Philadelphia and launched new
instructional practice programs with Independence Mission Schools and Chester
Arthur Elementary School. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">+</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> The Teach Plus PA Teacher Policy
Advisory Board launched in 2020, with Fellows focusing on equitable funding,
and recruitment and retention of teachers of color.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://teachplus.org/PA"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://teachplus.org/PA</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Spring-Ford School
Board grapples with how to hold senior prom<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 10, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can add
"senior prom" to the next challenge facing families and school
officials struggling to give students something resembling a "normal"
school year. The matter was front and center for the Spring-Ford School Board
on Feb. 8 as members heard pleas from parents who desperately want something
for their seniors to hold onto for their final year; and the logistical
nightmare of trying to hold a prom in times demanding social distancing. "If
winter sports can be approved, this can too," said parent Carin Davis. Currently,
the senior prom is scheduled for April 24 at the Sheraton. It was booked two
years ago before the coronavirus pandemic made six feet of social distancing
the new normal. Under those rules, the indoor venue could not accommodate more
than 80 seniors. That was a non-starter for the school board, given that the
senior prom could attract as many as 650 students and their dates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/spring-ford-school-board-grapples-with-how-to-hold-senior-prom/article_5b04c77a-6b24-11eb-9b45-27d74cb1d89e.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/spring-ford-school-board-grapples-with-how-to-hold-senior-prom/article_5b04c77a-6b24-11eb-9b45-27d74cb1d89e.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hobbs Kessler — The
Making Of A Miler<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Track &
Field February 8, 2021 by Jeff Hollobaugh <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">AFTER
RUNNING A </span></span></span></span><a href="https://trackandfieldnews.com/an-out-of-the-blue-hs-mile-record-for-hobbs-kessler/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">3:57.66
seemingly out of nowhere</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Hobbs
Kessler is suddenly one of the most talked-about names in the sport — usually
appended to the words, “Who is…?” Understandable. It’s unprecedented for
someone to jump to that exalted level directly from the plethora of 4:20 high
school milers. The fastest 17-year-old in U.S. history (he turns 18 on March
15) is no fluke, and while his development might not have been visible to the
world thanks to the pandemic, it reveals a fascinating combination of
circumstances, the proverbial perfect storm of talent development.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://trackandfieldnews.com/hobbs-kessler-the-making-of-a-miler/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://trackandfieldnews.com/hobbs-kessler-the-making-of-a-miler/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Democrats, GOP spar
over school funding, minimum wage amid push to land on pandemic plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/syrapnews/posts.html" title="The Associated Press"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Associated Press</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb 09, 2021; Posted Feb 09,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WASHINGTON —
House Democrats on Tuesday muscled past Republicans on portions of President
Joe Biden’s pandemic plan, including a proposed $130 billion in additional
relief to help the nation’s schools reopen and a gradual increase of the
federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Democrats on the Education and Labor
Committee say schools won’t be able to reopen safely until they get an infusion
of federal funding to repair building ventilation systems, buy protective
equipment and take other steps recommended by federal health officials. The
plan faces opposition from Republicans who want to tie new school funding to
reopening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2021/02/democrats-gop-spar-over-school-funding-minimum-wage-amid-push-to-land-on-pandemic-plan.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2021/02/democrats-gop-spar-over-school-funding-minimum-wage-amid-push-to-land-on-pandemic-plan.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In-Person or Remote
Learning: How the Biggest City School Districts Are Operating<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/tonya-harris"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tonya Harris</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 08, 2021 | Updated:
February 09, 2021 2 min read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">This page
will be updated when new information becomes available.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The second
half of the 2020-21 school year is poised to be as challenging as the first
half for district leaders who must make high-stakes decisions about student and
employee health and safety as the COVID-19 pandemic approaches the one-year
mark. There is no national data that capture the mode of learning in the
nation’s more than 13,000 school districts. This tracker presents the current
operating status of some of America’s largest school districts (plus, the
Toronto, Ontario district). All are members of </span></span></span></span><a href="http://cgcs.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the Council of the Great City Schools</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, which is closely documenting how its
districts are providing instruction. Collectively, these school systems serve
about 8.2 million students, or roughly 15 percent of the U.S. public school
enrollment. Across these districts, 44 percent of students are Hispanic, 27
percent are Black, 18 percent are white, 8 percent are Asian/Pacific Islander,
and 2 percent are Alaskan/Native American. More than 70 percent qualify for free
and reduced-price meals.* The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a disproportionate
toll on Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities—in numbers of
infections, rates of death, job losses, and food and housing insecurity. As of
Feb. 8, 2021, 43 member districts in the Council of the Great City Schools—some
of the largest school districts in the U.S.—are open for some type of in-person
learning. Search the table for the current status and nuanced descriptions of
what’s happening in each school district.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/in-person-or-remote-learning-how-the-biggest-city-school-districts-are-operating/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/leadership/in-person-or-remote-learning-how-the-biggest-city-school-districts-are-operating/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Is Biden Lowering the
Bar for What ‘Reopening Schools’ Means?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 09, 2021 5 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Just what
does it mean to “reopen schools,” and how precise should leaders and the
general public be with their answers? As President Joe Biden and his
administration navigate the political and practical implications of trying to
help U.S. schools reopen their doors to students in the first few months of his
presidency, the public might be gradually learning that the White House’s
definition of reopening schools doesn’t perfectly match what many people are
picturing. In December, after winning the election, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/bidens-call-for-school-reopening-relies-on-cooperation-from-congress-a-divided-public/2020/12"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Biden
promised</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> that, “My team will work to see that
the majority of our schools can be open by the end of my first 100 days,”
provided that Congress, states, and local governments give additional funding
and support to ensure schools can open safely. In Biden’s COVID-19 aid proposal
that he released in mid-January, he specified that his aim was “to open the
majority of K-8 schools within the first 100 days” of his administration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/is-biden-lowering-the-bar-for-what-reopening-schools-means/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/is-biden-lowering-the-bar-for-what-reopening-schools-means/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA State Board of
Education Student Representative Application Now Available<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 22,
2008 the Pennsylvania State Board of Education (SBE) amended their bylaws to
add one nonvoting senior student member and one nonvoting junior student
member. Since September 2009 two high school students have served on the SBE.
For the past year those students have been senior Anne Griffith from Radnor
High School and Junior Eva Rankin from Upper St. Clair High School. These SBE
positions have provided public school students with an unprecedented
opportunity in Pennsylvania to interact with the 22 adult board members and
have helped shape long-term education policy for the 1.8 million K-12 students
in our state and the 680,000 students impacted by our state system of higher
education. The Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) was first
charged with the responsibility of recommending two students to hold these
positions for the 2008-2009 school year. PASC is currently accepting
applications for our new junior student representative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Current 10<sup>th</sup> grade
students (Class of 2023) enrolled in public high schools in Pennsylvania are
eligible to apply for this position. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The introductory letter, commitment forms and
application can be found </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pasc.net_government-2Drelations&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=2trgnPp0q6Mi0laod-0s-mpSaCAkFIvubmMHZUvKeKM&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <b>Applications
are due back on March 8th, 2021.</b> Interviews will be conducted virtually.
One student will be selected for a two-year term at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">More
information can be found at: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw_edit-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=phjEuelrgAKFrp7umF3QMnoWSlZPU8eOmkCf4573U9s&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw/edit?usp=sharing</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> . Questions may be directed to the two
current student representatives at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2021@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">sbe2021@pasc.net</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2022@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">sbe2022@pasc.net</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST
GROVE—There will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on
Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center around
contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public education. Registrants
will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our spring Virtual Advocacy
Day website that contains talking points, a link to locate contact information
for your legislator and additional information to help you have a successful
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is pleased
to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual Conference
& Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience will bring
world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education solution
providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April 8-10, 2021,
for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">351 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 350 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63835441"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for
Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63835441;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-40985564979954089912021-02-09T09:21:00.001-05:002021-02-09T09:21:50.368-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 9, 2021: Proposed charter school reforms 'long overdue'<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 9, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Proposed charter
school reforms 'long overdue'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">See how Governor Wolf’s Proposed Charter Funding Reforms Would Impact
Your School District (From PDE Website)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Charter%20School%20Reform/Governor%20Wolfs%20Proposed%20CSL%20Funding%20Reforms.xlsx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Estimated
Charter School Reform Savings by School District</span></i></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> (Excel)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“The best solution would be for the
state government to establish actual charter school costs and set tuition at
the corresponding amount. But Wolf has come with the next best solution — a
flat (cyber) charter school tuition rate of $9,500 per student. The governor
also would apply to charters the same special education funding formula that
applies to conventional school districts. Together, the changes would provide
up to $280 million in tuition savings for the state’s 500 school districts.”</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Editorial: Proposed charter
reform long overdue<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scranton
Times Tribune BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">State
lawmakers eagerly should embrace Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal to fairly distribute
the state government’s $6 billion in public education funding because, you
know, it’s <i>fair</i>. But even if the Legislature chooses to continue
shorting the Scranton School District by $33 million a year, and others by
varying amounts, the legislators still should embrace another initiative that
would save up to $280 million every year for school districts statewide. That
money for local districts would come at no added expense to state or local
taxpayers, because they already pay it. At issue is another distribution
problem, due to an archaic and demonstrably illogical system for funding
charter schools. Charter schools, regardless of whether instruction is online
or in-person, are public schools funded by public money. Each school district
in the state pays tuition to a charter school for each district student who
attends one, based on the district’s own cost per student rather than the
charter school’s actual cost per student. According to the state Department of
Education, the tuition range paid by districts to charters is from $7,700 to
$22,300 per student. So districts across the state could pay a statewide
charter school any amount within that range, based on their own costs, even
though the charter’s actual cost per student is not variable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/proposed-charter-reform-long-overdue/article_b06a1ec2-8dad-558e-ac19-f4b2fb06dbed.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/proposed-charter-reform-long-overdue/article_b06a1ec2-8dad-558e-ac19-f4b2fb06dbed.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Koons and the 12 Schuylkill County
school district superintendents sent a letter to local legislators in October
defending the need for cyber charter reform. The letter stated that the average
cyber charter tuition paid by school districts is $12,660 per pupil in regular
education and $27,699 per pupil in special education, compared to the average
Schuylkill County school district tuition of $9,468 per pupil for elementary
and $10,724 per pupil for secondary education.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63747670"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Proposed charter school reforms 'long overdue'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63747670;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hazelton
Standard Speaker By Emily Graham Staff Writer Feb 7, 2021 Updated 8
hrs ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf proposed some cyber charter school reforms, which many public school districts
have said are needed to begin to reduce the increasing costs of cyber charter
schools. Cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania charge public school districts
between $9,170 and $22,300 per student per year. The governor’s plan would
establish a statewide cyber charter tuition rate of $9,500 per student, saving
an estimated $130 million a year. The governor also proposed changing the funding
formula for special education at charter schools. Currently, charter schools
receive funding for a special education population of 16%, regardless of the
students’ needs. The new plan would put special education funding for charter
schools through the same four-tiered formula that public school districts go
through based on individual students’ needs. Gregory Koons, Ed.D., said in the
2019-20 school year, cyber charter tuition cost the Schuylkill County’s 12
school districts over $9.1 million of taxpayer money. “The costly tuition of
cyber charter schools has created a fiscal strain on our local school district
budgets,” Koons said. “The proposed cyber charter legislation would help reduce
the draining of local school budgets and regulate the ever increasing cyber
charter tuition costs.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/education/proposed-charter-school-reforms-long-overdue/article_c9a48541-2b34-532e-a417-e9fffc814e96.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/education/proposed-charter-school-reforms-long-overdue/article_c9a48541-2b34-532e-a417-e9fffc814e96.html</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Columbia school
district calls for reform after it says it wasted $300,000 in cyber charter tuition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">KYLE KUTZ
for LNP | LancasterOnline February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">When:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Columbia Borough School District board
meeting, Feb. 2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">What
happened:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> The
school district is preparing to support funding reform after paying what it
says were inequitable tuition rates to cyber charter schools for the 2020-21
school year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Background:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> The district, according to chief of
finance and operations Keith Ramsey, spent $922,995 in tuition, or $34,185 a
learner, to enroll 27 special education students in cyber charter schools in
2020-21. That tuition rate, however, reflects an enrollment estimate from
2019-20 and not actual figures from the current school year. Ramsey stated the
district would have saved nearly $300,000 on tuition fees this year if the
charter schools’ funding formula were based on actual figures rather than
previous estimates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">What’s next:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> The board expects to pass a resolution
calling for charter school funding reform at its next meeting Feb. 18.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-school-district-calls-for-reform-after-it-says-it-wasted-300-000-in-cyber/article_f5dbaebc-6a6b-11eb-b1d6-677b629bbc75.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-school-district-calls-for-reform-after-it-says-it-wasted-300-000-in-cyber/article_f5dbaebc-6a6b-11eb-b1d6-677b629bbc75.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: according to their 2018
990, Commonwealth Charter Academy spent $6,654,657 on advertising that year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">COMMONWEALTH
CHARTER ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG,
PA 17110-1171 | TAX-EXEMPT SINCE DEC. 2005<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ProPublica Form
990 for period ending June 2018<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/743068519/05_2019_prefixes_72-74%2F743068519_201806_990_2019053116365746"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/743068519/05_2019_prefixes_72-74%2F743068519_201806_990_2019053116365746</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pandemic changes up
Pennsylvania’s state budget hearings<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/chthomps/posts.html" title="Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charles Thompson |
cthompson@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb
08, 2021; Posted Feb 08, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The
late-winter ritual of state budget hearings is getting a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">coronavirus</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> makeover in Pennsylvania this year. The
House Appropriations Committee announced Monday that </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.pabudget.com/budgethearings" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">its
three-week, department-by-department review</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-budget-overview-income-tax-hike-aid-for-schools-a-higher-minimum-wage-and-a-lot-of-opposition.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wolf Administration budget requests</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> will open in the main House chambers
starting Feb 16, in order to give presenters and committee members a chance to
follow all relevant social distancing protocols. Because </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/dgs_details.aspx?newsid=151" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the Capitol building is technically closed to the public</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> under Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency rules,
this is also the first time in memory that the hearings will be closed to
in-person attendance by members of the public. That’s a different thing,
however, than being closed to the public, Appropriations spokesman Neal Lesher
said, noting all of the sessions will be broadcast by the Pennsylvania Cable
Network and live-streamed on the Internet by the Republican and Democratic
caucus staffs. In addition, credentialed media - who have continued to have
access to the Capitol throughout the closure - will be able to cover the
hearings in person if they wish, Lesher said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pandemic-changes-up-pennsylvanias-state-budget-hearings.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pandemic-changes-up-pennsylvanias-state-budget-hearings.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA House
Appropriations Committee Schedule for Budget Hearings<br />
</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All will
stream live on </span></i></span></span></span><a href="http://www.pahousegop.com/livestreams" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PAHouseGOP.com/livestreams</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and posted for later viewing</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Monday,
March 1<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63744253"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10 a.m. Dept. of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63744253;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 p.m. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dept.
of Education (part 2)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63744253;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 p.m.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pennsylvania
Commission for Community Colleges<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63744253;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.pabudget.com/budgethearings"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://www.pabudget.com/budgethearings</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE FY 2021-22<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10 a.m.
Dept. of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1:30 p.m. Dept.
of Education (continued)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 p.m.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PA State System of Higher Ed<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://appropriations.pasenategop.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2021/02/Budget-Hearing-Schedule-2021-22-020321.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://appropriations.pasenategop.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2021/02/Budget-Hearing-Schedule-2021-22-020321.pdf</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New life for
shuttered Helen Thackston Charter School building?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erin
Bamer</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York
Dispatch February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A plan is in
the works to reopen the shuttered Helen Thackston Charter School building on
East Philadelphia Street in York City. York Mayor Michael Helfrich said a group
is currently cleaning up the building at 625 E. Philadelphia St. to eventually
use it as a community center. A Facebook post by Cynthia Dotson said the
building will be used for hosting events, including "youth activities and
educational programs." Helen Thackston Charter School closed in 2018 after
an unsuccessful appeal of the city school board's decision a year earlier
to revoke its charter. The building has been vacant since then. Thackston started
as a middle school since 2009, and high school grades were added in
2013. In 2012 the charter school operators began an $11 million project to
add 41,000 square feet to the
original 28,000-square-foot building, which was constructed in
1902. The York City School District approved a five-year renewal of
Thackston's charter in 2014, just months ahead of a scathing audit from the
state Auditor General's Office, which cited issues including an inadequate
number of certified staff members and missing documentation. The York City
school board voted to initiate revocation hearings in June 2017 — citing
the overdue audits among her issues. The building has been vacant ever since.
According to county real estate records, the owner is CSP York LLC, which is
registered in Nevada but has an address listed in Santa Ana, California.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/08/new-life-shuttered-helen-thackston-charter-school-building/4433657001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/08/new-life-shuttered-helen-thackston-charter-school-building/4433657001/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Allentown School
Board to hold special meeting Thursday to discuss hybrid option<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-kayla-dwyer-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KAYLA
DWYER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | FEB 08, 2021 AT 4:34
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The
Allentown School Board will hold a special meeting Thursday to discuss a hybrid
learning model for the district, which has been doing online instruction since
the beginning of the school year. The special board meeting will be held
virtually after Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meetings, which begin at 7
p.m. In mid-January, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-schools-virtual-instruction-extended-20210114-j6ymsyi4evgc3dhsisa5vf2sf4-story.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">school directors announced</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> the district would remain in virtual
learning through the end of the third quarter, with a possible reopening date
in mid-April. The district then circulated a survey among families to gauge how
many would choose to send their children to a modified in-person learning
schedule or remain remote if given the opportunity after the end of the third
quarter. The survey closed Jan. 29. Families will still have an entirely
virtual option for the remainder of the school year, the district website
states.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A link to
register for the meeting will be posted on </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.allentownsd.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">allentownsd.org</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-allentown-school-district-hybrid-option-meeting-20210208-sossxzdtn5befoq75glw7zoraq-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-allentown-school-district-hybrid-option-meeting-20210208-sossxzdtn5befoq75glw7zoraq-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottsgrove parent
survey raises possibility of online classes next year<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottsgrove
School District officials are asking parents about their preferences for the
school year that starts this fall, including the possibility that some families
may prefer online classes due to the persistence of the coronavirus pandemic. The
letter from Superintendent William Shirk, who will no longer be with the school
district when these final options are chosen, makes it clear that there is no
guarantee all three options outlined in the letter will be available from the
start of the 2021-2022 school year in late August. "To be clear, a great
deal of continued planning will be necessary to convert this from vision to
reality. However, the district would benefit from parent feedback during the
planning process. This communication does not suggest that only one learning
option will be available," shirk wrote. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The three
options about which families are being asked are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Conventional, in-person instruction;<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Asynchronous online instruction in which
a student works remotely "at her own pace and time;"<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Synchronous online instruction in which
"the student works remotely but meets for online classes every
day."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Please
understand that the district will use this information to prepare for next
school year. However, the district cannot yet commit to every option being
available," "Shirk wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pottsgrove-parent-survey-raises-possibility-of-online-classes-next-year/article_3d201930-6a48-11eb-93ef-031c5c6e7b17.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pottsgrove-parent-survey-raises-possibility-of-online-classes-next-year/article_3d201930-6a48-11eb-93ef-031c5c6e7b17.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scranton School Board
votes to begin in-person learning for elementary students<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 9, 2021 Updated 15 min ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Elementary
students in the Scranton School District will return to their classrooms next
month. At the end of a more than five-hour meeting, Scranton school directors
voted early this morning to move to a hybrid schedule for the district’s
youngest students. All staff will return to buildings March 1, with elementary
students starting to return March 15. The resolution passed 7-2, with board
President Katie Gilmartin and Director Sarah Cruz voting no. The plan can be
adjusted based on recommendations expected this week from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. The hybrid plan includes learning in a
classroom two days a week and from home three days a week for elementary
students. The district hopes for secondary students to start a hybrid schedule
in the spring. Students will still have a virtual option under the hybrid plan.
“Virtual learning is not helping us,” Anna Hill, a fifth grade student at
Prescott Elementary School, said when called to speak four hours after the
meeting started. “It’s hurting us mentally, socially and academically. For my
siblings and I, we are not getting the education we deserve.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leaders
assured school directors that buildings would be ready for students’ returns,
from already installing hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations, to having
masks for students and face shields for staff. About 150 staff members with
either pre-existing conditions or age 65 or older received vaccines Sunday.
Rosemary Boland, president of the Scranton Federation of Teachers, asked the
board to consider waiting to resume in-person instruction until more employees
have the opportunity to be vaccinated. “Make sure you realize, you’re voting
tonight on something we consider life or death,” Boland said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-board-votes-to-begin-in-person-learning-for-elementary-students/article_41d5ce73-96fd-59e1-84c4-380f4332a8c8.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-board-votes-to-begin-in-person-learning-for-elementary-students/article_41d5ce73-96fd-59e1-84c4-380f4332a8c8.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In public protest,
thousands of Philly teachers pushed back against reopening schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by
Kristen A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Updated: February 8, 2021- 7:26
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Thousands of
educators gathered outside closed public school buildings across the city
Monday, publicly pushing back against a Philadelphia School District reopening
plan they say endangers staff and students. As they waited for a neutral third
party to determine whether the school system has met safety conditions
necessary to reopen, school staff waved signs and bundled up against frigid
weather, teaching from tents and folding chairs rather than go inside buildings
as Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. had instructed. “We want to work,” said
Elanda Tolliver, an educational assistant at Samuel Gompers Elementary in
Wynnefield. “But we want to come back safe. That’s all we’re asking.” Educators </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/live/covid-coronavirus-vaccine-pa-philadelphia-nj-del-cases-testing-stimulus-schools-updates-news-20210208.html#card-1530665899" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">cheered news that the city, school system, and Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> have plans to set up vaccination sites
for teachers and other school workers inside district buildings by the end of the
month, but many teachers said vaccination alone is insufficient without other
assurances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-teachers-union-pft-20210208.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-teachers-union-pft-20210208.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly teachers
protest return to classroom plan as officials wait for mediator decision<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/miles-bryan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miles Bryan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Emily Rizzo February 8, 2021 Updated at 7:40
p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Philadelphia
teachers braved sub-freezing temperatures Monday to stage citywide protests
against the school district’s attempt to bring them back to school buildings. District
officials had been demanding some teachers return to school buildings Monday,
ahead of a planned return of up to 9,000 young children on Feb. 22. The
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers had refused, citing grave concerns about
the quality of ventilation in the school buildings and arguing that any staff
asked to come back should be </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/series/covid-19-vaccines/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">vaccinated against
COVID-19</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> first. The district had threatened to
discipline teachers who did not report for work, but the city intervened to
diffuse the showdown Sunday night, allowing teachers to work remotely until
a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/showdown-over-return-to-classrooms-in-philly-to-be-resolved-by-mediator/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">neutral
mediator makes a decision</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on
whether school buildings are safe for return.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-teachers-protest-return-to-classroom-plan-as-officials-wait-for-mediator-decision/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/philly-teachers-protest-return-to-classroom-plan-as-officials-wait-for-mediator-decision/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia partners
with CHOP to vaccinate educators at pop-up clinics<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/miles-bryan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miles Bryan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 8, 2021 <b>Updated: 3:45 p.m.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is partnering with the city’s department of
public health to administer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/series/covid-19-vaccines/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">COVID-19 vaccines</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to teachers, child care providers, and
other people who work with children in the city. The effort is expected to
begin by the end of February and include pop-up clinics in school buildings
throughout the city, according to a press release issued by Mayor Jim Kenney’s
office Monday. Those eligible include staff at all district, charter,
independent, and parochial schools, as well as child care and pre-K providers. “Getting
children back into classrooms throughout the city is vitally important to their
future, so I am absolutely thrilled to see Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
stepping up in a major way for our children,” Kenney said in a statement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-partners-with-chop-to-vaccinate-educators-at-pop-up-clinics/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-partners-with-chop-to-vaccinate-educators-at-pop-up-clinics/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mayor unveils
vaccination plan as Philadelphia teachers protest return to school buildings<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 8, 2021, 4:57pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mayor Jim Kenney
unveiled a vaccination plan for teachers and school staff after some
Philadelphia teachers protested outside their schools Monday morning, saying
they don’t want to return until they are convinced the buildings are safe. Kenney
announced that Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will assist the city
Department of Public Health in a new vaccination program for teachers,
principals, and staff at all schools. It includes staff at district, charter,
and private schools, as well as at child care centers and prekindergarten
providers. Classroom aides and cafeteria workers also will be included. The
stepped-up vaccination effort could address one of the concerns of teachers who
protested reopening Monday, the day early-grade teachers had been expected to
return to classrooms for the first time since March. Speaking as they took
short breaks from teaching students virtually from outside their buildings in
the cold, some educators said they were hesitant to teach in-person until they
were fully vaccinated. “As we near the one-year anniversary of the pandemic,
getting children back into classrooms throughout the city is vitally important
to their future,” Kenney said. He said that he was in “full support” of
Superintendent William Hite’s hybrid learning plan that will get students in
prekindergarten to second grade back in classrooms the week of Feb. 22.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/8/22273246/mayor-unveils-vaccination-plan-as-philadelphia-teachers-protest-return-to-school-buildings"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/8/22273246/mayor-unveils-vaccination-plan-as-philadelphia-teachers-protest-return-to-school-buildings</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone Oaks
students return to classes this week as teachers’ strike ends<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/brian-rittmeyer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BRIAN C. RITTMEYER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Monday, February 8,
2021 10:15 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Classes in
Keystone Oaks School District will resume Wednesday following a teachers’
strike, the district announced. The date when students and teachers must return
was revised after the state Department of Education reviewed the district’s
calendar. The department determined that the Keystone Oaks Education
Association strike can last up to seven days. “We have not received any
communication from the Keystone Oaks Education Association that they plan to
conclude the work stoppage early,” district spokeswoman Sarah Welch said
Monday. A union spokesman could not be reached for comment. All classes will be
online when they resume Wednesday, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.kosd.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6GUU0YI&dasi=30YY" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the district’s notice states</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/keystone-oaks-cancels-classes-as-teachers-give-strike-notice/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The strike started Feb. 1</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> after the union and school board were
unable to agree on a new contract. The last contract expired on June 30.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/carlynton/keystone-oaks-students-return-to-classes-this-week-as-teachers-strike-ends/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/carlynton/keystone-oaks-students-return-to-classes-this-week-as-teachers-strike-ends/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When Black kids, shut
out from the whitewashed world of children’s literature, took matters into
their own hands | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star Commentary By Paige Gray </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Paige Gray
is a professor of Writing and Liberal Arts at the Savannah College of Art and
Design. She wrote this piece for </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/when-black-kids-shut-out-from-the-whitewashed-world-of-childrens-literature-took-matters-into-their-own-hands-151538"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
Conversation</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, where it first appeared.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hanging on
the wall in my office is the framed cover of the inaugural issue of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.loc.gov/item/22001351/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Brownies’ Book,</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> a monthly periodical for Black youths
created by W.E.B. Du Bois and other members of the NAACP in 1920. The magazine
– the first of its kind – includes poems and stories that speak of Black
achievement and history, while also showcasing children’s writing. Although
much of American children’s literature published near the turn of the last
century – and even today – filters childhood through </span></span></span></span><a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-world-of-childrens-books-is-still-very-white/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the
eyes of white children</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, The
Brownies’ Book gave African American children a platform to explore their
lives, interests and aspirations. And it reinforced what 20th-century American
literature scholar Katharine Capshaw </span></span></span></span><a href="https://iupress.org/9780253218889/childrens-literature-of-the-harlem-renaissance/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">has
described</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> as Du Bois’ “faith in the ability of
young people to lead the race into the future.” Most likely inspired by The
Brownies’ Book, several Black weekly newspapers went on to create </span></span></span></span><a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/660184"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">their own children’s sections</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. While the children’s publishing industry
may have shut out Black voices and perspectives, the editors of these
periodicals sought to fill the void by celebrating them, giving kids a platform
to express themselves, connect with one another and indulge their curiosities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/when-black-kids-shut-out-from-the-whitewashed-world-of-childrens-literature-took-matters-into-their-own-hands-opinion/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/when-black-kids-shut-out-from-the-whitewashed-world-of-childrens-literature-took-matters-into-their-own-hands-opinion/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An investment in
education is an investment in crime prevention<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">GoErie Opinion
By Matthew T. Mangino February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Matthew T.
Mangino is the former district attorney of Lawrence County and an adjunct
professor at Thiel College in Mercer County.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf recently unveiled, as part of his 2021-22 budget, a plan to invest $1.3
billion in public schools. Investments are typically made with an eye
toward cashing in. Can an investment in education pay dividends? Several years
ago the Alliance for Excellent Education, which advocates for raising the high
school graduation rate, reported that America could save billions of
dollars in annual crime costs if school districts could raise the male high
school graduation rate. While graduation rates have increased according to a
2019 Alliance report, males and "historically underserved students"
have lagged behind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/story/opinion/2021/02/08/op-ed-investment-education-investment-crime-prevention/4405043001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.goerie.com/story/opinion/2021/02/08/op-ed-investment-education-investment-crime-prevention/4405043001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Summer School,
Extended Learning a Priority in $129 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 08, 2021 4 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The latest
COVID-19 relief proposal in Congress would require districts to use at least 20
percent of their aid on addressing “learning loss” through programs like summer
school, while states would have to set aside 5 percent of the money for similar
purposes. Schools could also use the funding to improve HVAC systems, reduce
class size, implement social distancing, hire support staff, and address a wide
variety of other needs and expenses to help schools reopen safely. The bill now
before the House education committee includes requirements intended to protect
state and local spending on economically disadvantaged students. The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://edlabor.house.gov/imo/media/doc/FY21%20Budget%20Reconciliation%20Budget%20Reconciliation.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">$129 billion aid package for K-12</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> was released Monday by Rep. Bobby
Scott, D-Va. Democrats plan to include relief for schools as part of a larger
coronavirus aid deal through a process known as budget reconciliation. In total
dollar amount, it essentially matches </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-call-for-130-billion-in-new-k-12-relief-scaled-up-testing-vaccination-efforts/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the
$130 billion in relief for schools</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> proposed by President Joe Biden shortly
before his inauguration. The proposal isn’t final, and could change as it
advances through Congress. Scott’s committee is due to consider and advance the
legislation at a Tuesday hearing, where it could be amended.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/summer-school-extended-learning-a-priority-in-129-billion-covid-19-relief-bill/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/summer-school-extended-learning-a-priority-in-129-billion-covid-19-relief-bill/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Utah School Made
Black History Month Optional. Then It Reversed Itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Maria
Montessori Academy, a charter school in North Ogden, allowed parents to opt
their students out. But after an outcry and discussions with the parents, it
changed course.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/christine-hauser"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christine Hauser</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb. 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A public
charter school in Utah allowed parents to withdraw their children from a Black
History Month curriculum, but reversed its decision after a public outcry and
meeting with parents to address their concerns. Micah Hirokawa, the director of
Maria Montessori Academy in North Ogden, an elementary and junior high school
about 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, said in a statement on Sunday that the
school had, with “regret,” sent an opt-out form to parents who had requested
the option. He did not give details about the parents’ concerns or say how many
had tried to withdraw their children from the events and activities that the school
had scheduled as part of the monthlong program. But he said in the statement,
which was published on the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/UtahMontessorians/permalink/2770406436508966" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Utah Montessorians Facebook page</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, that the episode was “alarming” and that
the school had been trying to “change hearts and minds with grace and
courtesy.” He said that the families “that initially had questions and concerns
have willingly come to the table to resolve any differences” and that “at this
time no families are opting out of our planned activities and we have removed
this option.” “It’s been a tough road as we work to honor and follow each
child’s and each adult’s personal journey,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/us/utah-school-black-history-month.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/us/utah-school-black-history-month.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">SAVING THE BUTTERFLY
FOREST<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Environmental
destruction and violence threaten one of the world’s most extraordinary insect
migrations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The New
Yorker Photography by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/brendan-george-ko"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Brendan
George Ko</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Text by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/carolyn-kormann"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Carolyn
Kormann</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every
November, around the Day of the Dead, millions of monarch butterflies descend
on a forest of oyamel firs in the mountains of central Mexico. The butterflies
have never seen the forest before, but they know—perhaps through an inner
compass—that this is where they belong. They leave Canada and the northeastern
United States in late summer and fly for two months, as far as three thousand
miles south and west across the continent. The journey is the most
evolutionarily advanced migration of any known butterfly, perhaps of any known
insect. But climate change and habitat loss, both in the forest (photographed
here in February last year) and in the U.S., are fast eroding the monarchs’
numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/02/15/saving-the-butterfly-forest" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/02/15/saving-the-butterfly-forest</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Schools Work Next
Lunch & Learn Webinar: A Deep Dive on the Budget Tuesday, February 9<sup>th</sup>
at Noon</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join PA
Schools Work partners on Tuesday, February 9 at noon for our next Lunch &
Learn webinar, where we will explain the details of the education components of
Governor Wolf's budget proposal. <br />
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://paschoolswork.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a17ee9f29e887a408e1a3de5&id=36366742fc&e=119d26f960" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">You can register for the webinar here. </span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA State Board of
Education Student Representative Application Now Available<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 22,
2008 the Pennsylvania State Board of Education (SBE) amended their bylaws to
add one nonvoting senior student member and one nonvoting junior student
member. Since September 2009 two high school students have served on the SBE.
For the past year those students have been senior Anne Griffith from Radnor
High School and Junior Eva Rankin from Upper St. Clair High School. These SBE
positions have provided public school students with an unprecedented
opportunity in Pennsylvania to interact with the 22 adult board members and
have helped shape long-term education policy for the 1.8 million K-12 students
in our state and the 680,000 students impacted by our state system of higher
education. The Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) was first
charged with the responsibility of recommending two students to hold these
positions for the 2008-2009 school year. PASC is currently accepting
applications for our new junior student representative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Current 10<sup>th</sup> grade
students (Class of 2023) enrolled in public high schools in Pennsylvania are
eligible to apply for this position. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The introductory letter, commitment forms and
application can be found </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pasc.net_government-2Drelations&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=2trgnPp0q6Mi0laod-0s-mpSaCAkFIvubmMHZUvKeKM&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <b>Applications
are due back on March 8th, 2021.</b> Interviews will be conducted virtually.
One student will be selected for a two-year term at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">More
information can be found at: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw_edit-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=phjEuelrgAKFrp7umF3QMnoWSlZPU8eOmkCf4573U9s&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw/edit?usp=sharing</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> . Questions may be directed to the two
current student representatives at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2021@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">sbe2021@pasc.net</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2022@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">sbe2022@pasc.net</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST
GROVE—There will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on
Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn
about the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center around
contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public education. Registrants
will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our spring Virtual Advocacy
Day website that contains talking points, a link to locate contact information
for your legislator and additional information to help you have a successful
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is pleased
to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual Conference
& Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience will bring
world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education solution
providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April 8-10, 2021,
for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action
Conference In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/
COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">348 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 340 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-5733101374345935852021-02-08T07:34:00.000-05:002021-02-08T07:34:43.424-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 8, 2021: “Those three factors have meant the difference between being open five days a week or being closed.”<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Those three factors
have meant the difference between being open five days a week or being closed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Congratulations to #348 </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/UnionScotties"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@UnionScotties</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">for passing the charter
funding reform resolution. Thank you </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/HeatherBScott"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@HeatherBScott</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/RepSainato"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@RepSainato</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">and Senator Elder Vogel Jr.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">See how Governor Wolf’s
Proposed Charter Funding Reforms Would Impact Your School District (From PDE
Website)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Charter%20School%20Reform/Governor%20Wolfs%20Proposed%20CSL%20Funding%20Reforms.xlsx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Estimated
Charter School Reform Savings by School District</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> (Excel)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Legislative
Proposal<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor
Wolf has proposed comprehensive charter school reform legislation that would:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l102 level1 lfo105; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Establish performance standards that
hold charter schools accountable for the educational outcomes of students
and a moratorium on new cyber charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l102 level1 lfo105; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cap student enrollment in low performing
cyber charter schools until outcomes improve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l102 level1 lfo105; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Require charter management companies be
subject to the Right to Know Act, State Ethics Act, and post employee salaries
on PDE's website, similar to requirements already in place for public
school districts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l102 level1 lfo105; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Create fair, predictable, and equitable
funding for school districts, including in the areas of special education
funding and cyber charter tuition payments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Comprehensive
Charter School Law Reform Savings<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As part of
his 2021-22 Proposed Budget, Governor Wolf is seeking comprehensive Charter
School Law reform to help ensure all public schools in our commonwealth are
providing high-quality education to every child. Updated 2/3/2021: Based on
2018-19 data, this reform could make another estimated $229 million available
for school districts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Charter%20Schools/CharterPolicyReform/Pages/LegisProposal.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Charter%20Schools/CharterPolicyReform/Pages/LegisProposal.aspx</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Who, if anyone, in Pennsylvania or
South Jersey, has come up with a pragmatic plan to tackle three of the biggest
barriers to reopening that private schools have largely figured out? I’d love
to know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Public school buildings were so
packed with students pre-pandemic, with large class sizes aimed at keeping
local property taxes in check, that they had no lavish extra real estate
capacity to create classes large enough to keep students spaced six feet apart,
as recommended by the CDC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Many public schools lack adequate or
any mechanical ventilation to circulate fresh air into rooms. Ventilation —
whether open windows, fans, or elaborate HVAC systems — help prevent the spread
of COVID-19 among masked, carefully spaced people indoors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Many public schools lack the
resources to hire enough additional teachers, substitutes, and support staff to
shrink class sizes so that kids can be spaced apart, or to handle absences due
to teacher leaves or quarantines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those three factors have meant the
difference between being open five days a week or being closed. Addressing them
enabled many private schools to open fully in September, long before any
approved vaccines.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The pressure is on to
reopen public schools. But can it really happen? | Maria Panaritis<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Maria%20Panaritis%C2%A0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Maria Panaritis </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">| </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/panaritism"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@panaritism</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | <a name="_Hlk63590198"></a></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mpanaritis@inquirer.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63590198;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">mpanaritis@inquirer.com</span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63590198;"></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63590198;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Posted: February
6, 2021 - 5:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In what is
now the 11th month of shuttered or partially opened public schools since the
onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the call to return to brick-and-mortar
classrooms seems to be intensifying. But does that mean anything
substantive <b>or comprehensive </b>has been done to address the
biggest barriers to safely reopening our nation’s public schools? I wish the
answer to that were “yes.” In the affluent Wallingford-Swarthmore School
District in Delaware County, where students have been in actual school
buildings for only a few days a week, the community was in an uproar Monday
over plans for a five-day-a-week return to classrooms for children through
fifth grade. People appeared split into two camps: Team Hell No or Team Hell
Yes. That day’s snowstorm prompted postponement of a school board meeting until
Monday, Feb. 8. Students began attending classrooms inside school buildings for
just several days a week in Swarthmore, Pa., on Day One of hybrid learning
October 5, 2020. Officials now want to open every day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday
in a district 2½ hours west in Shippensburg, the school board gave angry
parents what they wanted and </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.shipk12.org/letter-from-the-superintendent-2-2-21/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">approved</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> a four-day-a-week return to buildings
for all grades by Feb. 22. It was not clear if students would be spaced six
feet apart as federal health guidance has urged.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/public-schools-reopening-philadelphia-pennsylvania-help-solutions-20210206.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/public-schools-reopening-philadelphia-pennsylvania-help-solutions-20210206.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Wolf
Proposes a Bold, Historic Investment in Public Education (and a lot more!!) .<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Includes links to PDE
district by district spreadsheets for BEF, Special Ed and Charter Savings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Voters Published by </span></span></span></span><a href="http://educationvoterspa.org/blog/author/edvopa/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">EDVOPA</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On
Wednesday, February 5th, Governor Wolf gave his budget address.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gov. Wolf’s
proposed state budget for 2021-2022 demonstrates his understanding of the
extensive unmet needs in Pennsylvania’s public schools and his commitment to
fixing the unfairness of our current funding system.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Wolf’s
proposed historic investment of $1.5 billion in public K-12 education would substantially
increase resources available to students in the commonwealth’s most profoundly
underfunded schools and make significant progress toward closing the resource
and opportunity gaps that harm our most vulnerable children and threaten
Pennsylvania’s future workforce, tax base, and economy. <b><i> This
budget provides additional basic and special education funding to all school
districts and would create more than $229 million in savings on charter tuition
payments for districts.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is a
budget that Pennsylvania’s students deserve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://educationvoterspa.org/blog/governor-wolf-proposes-a-bold-historic-investment-in-public-education-and-a-lot-more/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://educationvoterspa.org/blog/governor-wolf-proposes-a-bold-historic-investment-in-public-education-and-a-lot-more/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Koons and the 12 Schuylkill County
school district superintendents sent a letter to local legislators in October
defending the need for cyber charter reform. The letter stated that the average
cyber charter tuition paid by school districts is $12,660 per pupil in regular
education and $27,699 per pupil in special education, compared to the average
Schuylkill County school district tuition of $9,468 per pupil for elementary
and $10,724 per pupil for secondary education.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Proposed charter
school reforms 'long overdue'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hazelton
Standard Speaker </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By Emily
Graham Staff Writer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 7,
2021 </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">Updated </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">8 hrs ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf proposed some cyber charter school reforms, which many public school
districts have said are needed to begin to reduce the increasing costs of cyber
charter schools. Cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania charge public school
districts between $9,170 and $22,300 per student per year. The governor’s plan
would establish a statewide cyber charter tuition rate of $9,500 per student,
saving an estimated $130 million a year. The governor also proposed changing
the funding formula for special education at charter schools. Currently,
charter schools receive funding for a special education population of 16%,
regardless of the students’ needs. The new plan would put special education
funding for charter schools through the same four-tiered formula that public
school districts go through based on individual students’ needs. Gregory Koons,
Ed.D., said in the 2019-20 school year, cyber charter tuition cost the
Schuylkill County’s 12 school districts over $9.1 million of taxpayer money. “The
costly tuition of cyber charter schools has created a fiscal strain on our
local school district budgets,” Koons said. “The proposed cyber charter
legislation would help reduce the draining of local school budgets and regulate
the ever increasing cyber charter tuition costs.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/education/proposed-charter-school-reforms-long-overdue/article_c9a48541-2b34-532e-a417-e9fffc814e96.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/education/proposed-charter-school-reforms-long-overdue/article_c9a48541-2b34-532e-a417-e9fffc814e96.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Readers' Views:
Pennsylvania schools chronically underfunded<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown
Mercury Letter by Beth Yoder, Douglassville February 7, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s proposed budget acknowledges the grave needs of Pennsylvania’s schools
by proposing a $1.5 billion increase in educational funding. As a teacher in
the Pottstown School District, I’ve seen first hand the devastating effects of
chronic underfunding. Due to this, none of our elementary schools have guidance
counselors, leaving classroom teachers ill-equipped to provide much-needed
social-emotional guidance to our students. Our middle school does not have a
music teacher or any foreign languages, leaving kids behind most of their peers
in surrounding districts. Additionally, at the high school, we can only offer a
handful of honors and AP courses. This leaves students who want to pursue
numerous careers further behind than any of the properly-funded schools. Even
before the pandemic, the district had to cut staff so class sizes are larger,
leading teachers unable to spend much-needed time with each student every day.
The detrimental impact of this lack of funding will follow my students
throughout their lives. A recent analysis found that Pottstown School District
is being shortchanged more than $13 million by the state’s current funding
system. Pennsylvania’s schools need at least an additional $4.6 billion to
adequately educate students. Every year that the Legislature delays addressing
these growing needs, the outlook for underfunded districts and for our
students’ education grows more dire. It’s time for legislators to take bold
action to adequately and equitably fund our school so all students, regardless
of their zip code, have not only an adequate education, but a truly exceptional
one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/opinion/readers-views-pennsylvania-schools-chronically-underfunded/article_e36af8f0-68b3-11eb-9b80-43accddd35ce.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/opinion/readers-views-pennsylvania-schools-chronically-underfunded/article_e36af8f0-68b3-11eb-9b80-43accddd35ce.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Pennsylvania's 14 cyber charters </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/cyber-charters-pennsylvania-2021-school-funding-budget-20210203.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">will be audited.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> "Wait," you say. "the cyber charters aren't
audited?" The </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/as-cyber-charter-school-costs-soar-state-fails-to-conduct-required-audits/article_a3e70510-34cf-59ea-9928-666386b3d275.html#:~:text=Pennsylvania%20cyber%20charter%20schools%20could,a%20Sunday%20Times%20investigation%20found.&text=The%20office%20has%20audited%20just%20two%20schools%20in%20the%20last%20five%20years."><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">answer is "barely</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">;" six of the charters have never been audited at all, and
the largest cyber charter in the state, Commonwealth Charter Academy, was last
audited in 2012. The proposal also targets cyber charter funding, one of
the deeply nonsensical features of the Pennsylvania charter landscape. Cybers
get 100% of the same payment as a brick and mortar charter school--even though
they have no bricks, no mortar, and none of the other expenses of an actual
school building. Consequently, cyber schools in PA are making money hand over
fist, and</span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/cyber-charters-pennsylvania-2021-school-funding-budget-20210203.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"> taxpayer dollars go to things</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> like advertising ($1,000 per student recruited at one
charter) and, no kidding, a cool robot dog. The governor proposes to set a
statewide cyber tuition rate that is still mighty generous. The state's
in-house online education program costs about $5,400 per student per year, and
the </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/2021-plan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">governor proposes </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">a set $9,500 tuition rate.”</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="2475584090666338910"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA: Budget Kicks Off Another Round of Charter Battles<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Curmuducation
Blog by Peter Greene Saturday, February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Tom
Wolf has released his budget proposal, and charter supporters are not happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">This is not
the first time Wolf has made the charter school industry sad. Back in the
summer of 2019 </span></span></span></span><a href="https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2019/08/pa-governor-puts-charters-on-notice.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">he
fired some shots </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">across their
bows with an aggressive agenda for fixing Pennsylvania's messed up charter
funding system. In return, they've launched </span></span></span></span><a href="https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2020/04/pa-another-charter-pr-push.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">a
variety of PR pushes</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">; indications are they have something a
little more potent in mind this time. In his 2020 budget speech, tried to
soothe the industry and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/charter-school-reform-pennsylvania-tom-wolf-budget-20200203.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">thread
the needle</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, saying that Pennsylvania students should
get a great education "whether in a traditional public school or a charter
school" an noting that "Pennsylvania has a history of school choice,
which I support." But </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/fronts-for-private-management-wolf-takes-aim-at-charter-schools-in-state-budget/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">he
also said that some charter schools</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> are “little more than fronts for
private management companies, and the only innovations they’re coming up with
involve finding new ways to take money out of the pockets of property
taxpayers.” The 2021 budget has several features to tighten up Pennsylvania's
exceptionally loose charter industry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2021/02/pa-budget-kicks-off-another-round-of.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FORjvzd+%28CURMUDGUCATION%29"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2021/02/pa-budget-kicks-off-another-round-of.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FORjvzd+%28CURMUDGUCATION%29</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Another notable proposal would provide
overdue reforms to the Charter School Law, adjusting </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/cyber-charters-pennsylvania-2021-school-funding-budget-20210203.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">the way cyber charters get funded </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">to include a flat per student rate of $9,500 per year. Cyber
schools who do not have expenses tied to brick-and-mortar structures have
benefited unduly from the lack of meaningful charter-funding reform. This
change alone represents $229 million in savings to districts.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Wolf’s Pa.
budget includes bold proposals. Now it requires bold action. | Inquirer Editorial<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="mailto:The%20Inquirer%20Editorial%20Board%C2%A0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">The Inquirer Editorial
Board </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">| </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:opinion@inquirer.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">opinion@inquirer.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Posted: February 7, 2021 - 5:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.budget.pa.gov/PublicationsAndReports/CommonwealthBudget/Documents/2021-2022%20Budget%20In%20Brief.Web%20Version.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">budget</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — and the response it has generated —
presents a somewhat jarring déjà vu to budgets of the recent past. On Wolf’s
side, he has put forth bold plans to hike education funding, support
environmental spending, give tax cuts to some families, and hike the state
income tax for others. Republican lawmakers responded by immediately calling
the budget a nonstarter. Bad enough that this performance is so predictable
during normal times. But following a year of economic devastation due to the
pandemic, it’s a particular disappointment. Lawmakers are missing the
opportunity presented by the pandemic to throw out the old partisan and
unproductive script and look at things differently. Contrary to expectations
that this proposal would be a decimated shadow of past budgets, the new $37.8
billion general fund budget represents an 11% increase over last year’s. That
increase comes from a combination of new taxes, reallocating revenues, and
federal dollars. The elements of Gov. Wolf’s budget are indeed bold. Any
proposal to increase income taxes in the midst of a recession takes guts.
The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/tom-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-tax-increase-school-funding-republican-reaction-20210203.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">hike
in personal income tax from 3.07% to 4.49%</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is targeted to higher-income families
(and will also impact businesses) and is coupled with tax cuts for working
families hit hardest by the pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/wolf-pa-budget-income-tax-fracking-cyber-school-reform-harrisburg-20210207.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/wolf-pa-budget-income-tax-fracking-cyber-school-reform-harrisburg-20210207.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: Senator Mensch serves as Majority
Caucus Chair<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sen. Bob Mensch: Wolf
budget is like the film 'Groundhog Day'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily :Local Opinion By Sen. Bob Mensch Guest columnist Feb 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">State Sen.
Bob Mensch is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 24th Senatorial
District in portions of Montgomery, Berks and Bucks counties.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the movie
“Groundhog Day,” the Pennsylvania weatherman played by Bill Murray famously
lives the same day over and over. In “Groundhog Day: The State Budget,”
Pennsylvania taxpayers live the same threat of massive tax hikes year after
year. On Feb. 3, one day after Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of
winter, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his proposed state budget, predicting at least
six more weeks of Pennsylvanians fending off the largest tax and spending increases
in state history. The governor’s proposed 2021-22 state budget includes a $3.1
billion (8.2 percent) increase in state spending from the current fiscal year.
This staggeringly large spending increase is unsustainable. In addition, he
wants to increase the state personal income tax (PIT) rate from 3.07 percent to
4.49 percent (a 46.3 percent hike) as of July 1. About one-third of all
Pennsylvanians would see their state tax burden increase under this rate hike. This
doesn’t only harm families. Upwards of one million Pennsylvania small
businesses will have their tax rates increased since these pass-through
businesses (i.e. S corporations, partnerships, etc.) pay business taxes at the
same PIT rate as individuals. This proposed tax increase coupled with the
governor’s ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and his proposed minimum wage hike
would be devastating for many family businesses that are already struggling to
stay financially solvent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.dailylocal.com/opinion/sen-bob-mensch-wolf-budget-is-like-the-film-groundhog-day/article_5884a75b-5e3e-5832-882b-de2c0692aa27.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.dailylocal.com/opinion/sen-bob-mensch-wolf-budget-is-like-the-film-groundhog-day/article_5884a75b-5e3e-5832-882b-de2c0692aa27.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf's school budget
proves disparities<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Times
Tribune Editorial BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD February 7, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s proposed budget would right multiple wrongs regarding public education,
which in Pennsylvania means it will not get through the Legislature. But
conceptually and practically, the proposal points to more equitable taxation
and, at long last, fair distribution of tax money for education. For years, the
state has underfunded scores of school districts, including Scranton and
Wilkes-Barre. Wolf’s proposal fleshes out the degree to which taxpayers and
children in those districts have been shortchanged. It would distribute all $6
billion in state education funding under the fair funding formula that the
state adopted in 2014. Now, the state only applies the fair funding formula to
“new” money appropriated after that year, rather than to the entire state
allocation. By applying the formula to all state funding, the state would
provide the Scranton School District with an additional $33 million — not just
next year but <i>every</i> year. The state has placed the Scranton
district in its economic recovery program, but has precluded it from including corrected
state funding in its recovery plan. In Lackawanna County, the Carbondale Area,
Mid Valley and Riverside districts also would receive significant increases. This
is not a windfall. It is <i>corrective</i>. Wolf acknowledged that unfair
application of the supposed fair funding formula has resulted in some districts
receiving an aggregate of $1.15 billion more than they would if the formula
were applied correctly. He proposed raising an additional $1.15 billion in
education funding so that those districts would not lose any revenue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To raise the additional money for fair
funding, Wolf proposed, in effect, a progressive personal income tax rather
than the highly regressive 3.07% current flat rate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/wolfs-school-budget-proves-disparities/article_1f23e387-23fb-5ad1-92fd-3d8bd060ac55.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/wolfs-school-budget-proves-disparities/article_1f23e387-23fb-5ad1-92fd-3d8bd060ac55.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chester Upland: Rally
at Chester High School calls for equity in education<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Delco Times </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:By%20Kathleen%20E.%20Carey%20kcarey@21st-centurymedia.com%20@dtbusiness%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">By
Kathleen E. Carey kcarey@21st-centurymedia.com @dtbusiness on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 7, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CHESTER —
Concerned that the Chester Upland School District is going to be scavenged to
the lowest bidder, more than 50 people rallied at Chester High School Saturday,
calling for action and recognition that the city's students and teachers
deserve better. "Chester Students Matter! Chester Teachers Matter!"
were among the chants at the rally, organized by Delco Resists and Chester
Upland parents. "I just don't get it," Carol Kazeem, a Chester Upland
parent and Delco Resists member event organizer, said. "State funding
needs to be increased and property taxes should not be used as part of our
educational funding ... How are you going to use that money to make sure that
every child got the same quality right to education? To make sure that they
have the same resources?" The district has had to divert millions of
dollars to charter schools such as Chester Community and Chester Charter
Scholars Academy. "Whether you want to say it's charter, outsourcing, you
can't do it, it's the same thing," Kazeem said. "Don't put children
over profit. It's starting to turn into a business. Our kids are not for sale.
This is not a business." In fact, she said money the district has been
mandated to send to the charter schools over the years should be returned to
the Chester Upland School District. "I want that back money too so these
kids can get what they need in these schools," she said. "The
American Dream, it ain't working for all of us," Kazeem said. "And it
starts here, education. Education is what put that American dream in place and
that American dream do not work for all, not when we have disparities and
systematic issues in our education going on." Maura I. McInerney, an
attorney with the Education Law Center representing Chester Upland, summarized
the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/news/rally-at-chester-high-calls-for-equity-in-education/article_8d701340-6895-11eb-9798-c3082a7d3cd9.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.delcotimes.com/news/rally-at-chester-high-calls-for-equity-in-education/article_8d701340-6895-11eb-9798-c3082a7d3cd9.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Online charter schools have a
“uniformly negative” track record for every demographic subgroup of students.
Every subgroup measured by the Department of Education does better in a
traditional public school. And this is not just the result of one study, though
there are many high-profile studies out there </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/technology/cyber-charters-have-overwhelming-negative-impact-credo-study-finds/2015/10" target="_blank" title="https://www.edweek.org/technology/cyber-charters-have-overwhelming-negative-impact-credo-study-finds/2015/10"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">such as the study </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">from the </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://credo.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" title="https://credo.stanford.edu/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Center for Research on Education Outcomes</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> at Stanford which found that cyber charters have an
“overwhelmingly negative impact.” Even the National Alliance for Public Charter
Schools, a charter advocacy group, in 2016 offered a report entitled “</span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://www.publiccharters.org/sites/default/files/migrated/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/VirtualReport_Web614.pdf" target="_blank" title="http://www.publiccharters.org/sites/default/files/migrated/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/VirtualReport_Web614.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">A call to action to improve the quality of full-time virtual
charter public schools.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Report: California
Wastes $600 Million Per Year On Cyberschools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Forbes by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Peter Greene</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Senior Contributor Feb 6, 2021,02:51pm EST|402
views<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Online
charter schools have a troubled history in California. In the late 1990s, </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.laweekly.com/cato-caves-in" target="_blank" title="http://www.laweekly.com/cato-caves-in"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">a series of scandals broke</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> involving online charters revealed
abuses such as public funds funneled to religious schools and huge management
fees paid to a private company owned by the school executives. A new law was
passed, but problems continued, until a huge charter chain was charged with
defrauding the state </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/eleven-charged-in-50-million-charter-school-fraud-scheme" target="_blank" title="https://www.courthousenews.com/eleven-charged-in-50-million-charter-school-fraud-scheme"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">to
the tune of $50 million</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. At that
point, the legislature </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ch/ncbmoratorium.asp" target="_blank" title="https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ch/ncbmoratorium.asp"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">pressed pause</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on authorizing any more
nonclassroom-based (NCB) charters. That moratorium expires at the end of 2021.
With that in mind, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inthepublicinterest.org/" target="_blank" title="https://www.inthepublicinterest.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">In The Public Interest</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> issued a report this month offering
“the first comprehensive assessment of California’s (’nonclassroom-based’)
charter schools.” The report is written by Gordon Lafer (<i>The One Percent
Solution</i>) from the University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research
Center, with co-authors Clare Crawford, Karissa Petrucci, and Jennifer Smith. The
bottom line of the report is simple: California’s taxpayers are overpaying for
an inferior product. The report, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://secureservercdn.net/45.40.148.234/q9w.d4d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ITPI_CostlyFailure_Feb2021_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" title="https://secureservercdn.net/45.40.148.234/q9w.d4d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ITPI_CostlyFailure_Feb2021_FINAL.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Costly
Failure</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, is heavily researched and well-sourced in
considerable detail, but we can look at some of the highlights here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/02/06/report-california-wastes-600-million-per-year-on-cyberschools/?sh=48ac797756d0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/02/06/report-california-wastes-600-million-per-year-on-cyberschools/?sh=48ac797756d0</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Report on cyber
charter schooling misleading<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Express,
Lockhaven PA </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lockhaven.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/" title="View all posts in Letters to the editor"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">LETTERS TO THE EDITOR</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> by TIM ELLER FEB 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tim Eller is
senior vice president of outreach and government relations for Commonwealth
Charter Academy<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Jan. 29
article <i>“Cyber, charter schooling may cost JSASD $3.2M”</i> this
year is not only misleading but includes incorrect information. Jersey Shore
Area School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Ulmer claims that the district’s
cyber program only costs the district $3,000 for each regular education and
special education student. The district’s school board, parents, and taxpayers
should request a full accounting of Dr. Ulmer’s figures, specifically focusing
on the following areas: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">— Does the
district’s cyber program provide comprehensive services and support to all
students with disabilities and is it in compliance with the federal Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">— Does the
district’s cyber program include all technology for non-special education and
special education students to fully participate from home, including a
computer, instructional materials, home internet service, and in-home and/or
virtual special education services?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">— Does any
portion of the district’s cyber program require students — both regular and
special education — to participate from a district-run building?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If the
answer to any of the above questions is <i>“no,”</i> then the
district’s cyber program cannot be compared to a public cyber charter school
and any cost comparison is deeply flawed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lockhaven.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2021/02/report-on-cyber-charter-schooling-misleading/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.lockhaven.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2021/02/report-on-cyber-charter-schooling-misleading/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Commonwealth Charter
Academy purchases former Macy’s space at Waterfront<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live </span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/paul-guggenheimer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PAUL GUGGENHEIMER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Wednesday, February 3,
2021 1:58 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A former
Macy’s department store now known as the Waterfront Technology Center has been
bought by one of its current tenants. Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), an
online education platform, has finalized a deal to purchase the redeveloped
office complex from M&J Wilkow and BIG Shopping Centers, which bought the
140,000-square-foot building from Macy’s in 2018. The building is located in
The Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead. It was part of an effort to
continue expanding the center’s mix of retailers and tenants. Following a reuse
conversion, the building was leased at full capacity to Siemens Mobility and
CCA, turning the space into an office and research and development facility.
CCA currently occupies the first floor, spanning nearly 70,000 square feet.
Seimens Mobility will continue to occupy the remainder of the building on the
second floor. M&J Wilkow has been retained by CCA to provide property
management services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/commonwealth-charter-academy-purchases-former-macys-space-at-waterfront/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://triblive.com/local/commonwealth-charter-academy-purchases-former-macys-space-at-waterfront/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In a reversal,
Philadelphia teachers are no longer expected to report to schools Monday<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 7, 2021, 10:45pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The city is
not asking Philadelphia teachers to return to school buildings Monday morning,
a last-minute twist in the reopening debate. A spokeswoman said that about
2,000 staff members who had been expected to go to school buildings to prepare
for a Feb. 22 reopening for early-grade students can teach remotely instead,
since </span></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/7/22271356/as-philadelphia-teachers-protest-return-to-school-mediator-weighs-ventilation-concerns"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">a
mediator hired to review</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> a
safety agreement between the district and teachers union won’t have a decision
in time. “The mediation process is still ongoing. Without a final decision from
the mediator, teachers won’t be mandated to report tomorrow, but any teacher
who chooses to report is welcome to do so,” said a statement from a city
spokesperson last night. “We remain hopeful that this process will ultimately
allow both parties to come to a resolution in time for students to return the
week of February 22.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/7/22271813/in-a-reversal-philadelphia-teachers-are-no-longer-expected-to-report-to-schools-monday"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/7/22271813/in-a-reversal-philadelphia-teachers-are-no-longer-expected-to-report-to-schools-monday</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly teachers defy
demands to return to buildings, plan Monday protests<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 7, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Philadelphia’s
teachers union will hold citywide protests Monday, defying school district
plans to bring teachers back into classrooms for the first time since last
March. As part of its “day of action,” the union has told members not to enter
school buildings as requested. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
said in a statement Sunday that “thousands of teachers” will work outside their
buildings instead of going inside. The protests will include appearances by
Randi Weingarten, who heads the American Federation of Teachers. The union
continues to maintain school district buildings are unsafe for occupancy given
COVID-19 concerns. A mediator in the matter was named Friday. The school
district has requested that some staff report to buildings on Monday to prepare
for the eventual return of some pre-K through grade 2 students. A district
official said staff who defy the order </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/stay-home-on-monday-philadelphia-federation-of-teachers-urges-its-members/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">could
be subject to “disciplinary action.”</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
PFT has said the buildings are not safe amid the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/coronavirus/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">coronavirus pandemic</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and told its members not to enter
school buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-teachers-defy-demands-to-return-to-buildings-plan-monday-protests/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/articles/philly-teachers-defy-demands-to-return-to-buildings-plan-monday-protests/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly teachers union
president tells members not to go to school Monday, setting up a showdown<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">by
Kristen A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Posted: February 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The gulf
between the Philadelphia School District and its teachers widened Friday, with
the union president telling members not to report to work Monday amid concerns
over COVID-19 and building safety. “There is absolutely no reason, other than
sheer cruelty, to bring members into unsafe buildings Monday,” Philadelphia
Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan said in a statement. He directed
staffers to work remotely. The standoff emerged after Superintendent William R.
Hite Jr. said he expects 2,000 prekindergarten through second grade teachers to
show up at schools Monday in advance of a Feb. 22 reopening for 9,000 students.
It’s the district’s third attempt at reopening since the pandemic shut schools
in March. The district, in an email to PFT members Friday afternoon, took a
hard line. “If you are expected to be in your building on Monday and choose not
to do so, you will be subject to disciplinary action,” Chief Talent Officer
Larisa Shambaugh wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-union-reopen-20210205.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-union-reopen-20210205.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘I would like for
them to come back’: Mayor wants Philadelphia teachers to return to schools
Monday<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 6, 2021, 6:19pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mayor Jim
Kenney wants teachers to return to their schools Monday as part of the School
District of Philadelphia’s effort to reopen schools to some students later this
month. ‘I would like for them to come back,” Kenney told Chalkbeat on Saturday
at an event at Smith Playground in North Philadelphia. “There have been people
like the SEIU workers in schools since March.” District leaders planned to open
campuses to teachers on Monday ahead of about 9,000 students in prekindergarten
to second grade returning Feb. 22. But Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
President Jerry Jordan on Friday instructed his members in an email not to show
up to school because of concerns about whether the district’s buildings are
safe. About 2,000 PFT members have been told by the district to return to
school Monday. In his note, Jordan told teachers to continue to work remotely
and “prepare for all eventualities.” Neither the district or city announced
plans for schools or offices to be closed Monday ahead of the anticipated
snowstorm this weekend, with the city declaring a snow emergency beginning at 6
a.m. Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/6/22270379/i-would-like-for-them-to-come-back-mayor-wants-philadelphia-teachers-return-to-schools-monday"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/6/22270379/i-would-like-for-them-to-come-back-mayor-wants-philadelphia-teachers-return-to-schools-monday</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reopening debate
tests Biden’s ties with major teachers unions<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The school
reopening debate is presenting an early test of President Joe Biden’s
allegiance with powerful teachers unions<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Post Gazette
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FEB 6, 2021 12:15 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The heated
school reopening debate is forcing President Joe Biden to balance two
priorities: getting children back into the classroom and preserving the support
of powerful labor groups that helped him get elected. Following weeks of
standoffs in some cities and states where teachers unions are demanding
vaccines as a condition of reopening, the issue came to a head Wednesday when
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, said vaccination of teachers “is not a prerequisite for safe
reopening of schools.” But in a juggling of positions, the White House declined
to back Dr. Walensky. Asked Friday about her earlier comments, Dr. Walensky
punted. So far, it doesn’t appear that the issue is driving a wedge between Mr.
Biden and the unions. Even those demanding vaccines say shots would not be
required if schools were taking other steps to make buildings safe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/06/Reopening-debate-tests-Biden-s-ties-with-major-teachers-unions/stories/202102070151"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/06/Reopening-debate-tests-Biden-s-ties-with-major-teachers-unions/stories/202102070151</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Which Centre County
schools are operating remotely due to COVID-19? Here’s a running list<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Centre Daily
Times </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mparish@centredaily.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
MARLEY PARISH</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> FEBRUARY 05, 2021 08:32 AM, UPDATED
FEBRUARY 05, 2021 10:15 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Since
reopening in August, Centre County school districts have been forced to make
adjustments to instructional plans as community COVID-19 cases continue to rise
and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/SchoolReopeningGuidance/ReopeningPreKto12/PublicHealthGuidance/Pages/SchoolClosureRecommentations.aspx" target="_self"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">statewide
mitigation efforts</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> aim to slow virus transmission. The
Centre Daily Times is keeping a running list of school closures and planned
reopenings. Because area schools are not required to publicly announce
confirmed cases or building closures, this list may not be comprehensive but
will be updated weekly with any changes or updates to instructional plans. If a
school closure is not listed, or to provide more information, please email
cdtnewstips@centredaily.com.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.centredaily.com/news/rebuild/article247509800.html#storylink=mainstage_lead"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.centredaily.com/news/rebuild/article247509800.html#storylink=mainstage_lead</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ears on the Philly Board
of Education: January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Alliance for
Philadelphia Public Schools </span></span></span></span><a href="https://appsphilly.net/2021/02/01/ears-on-the-board-of-education-january-28-2021/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">February
1, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://appsphilly.net/author/appsphilly/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">appsphilly.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> by Diane Payne<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Board
set the tone for this remote Action Meeting by imposing more undemocratic,
punitive measures on the defenders of public education. Disenfranchisement was
carried out in a number of ways, all decided in secret. The Board, for the
first time in District history, cut every speaker’s time from three
minutes to two, and they limited the total number of speakers. In addition, the
deadline for submitting written testimony went from 24 to 48 hours before the
meeting. Violating not only the trust of the public but its own by-laws and the
PA Sunshine Act, the Board amended an official policy without a public vote.
Thus, when Dr. Hite called a press conference on Wednesday to announce his
latest reopening plan, parents, teachers, students and principals had no chance
to voice their opposition. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers had been
warning against the still unsafe conditions of school buildings, but the Board
made sure that neither they nor the public would hear about them. The Board is
taking advantage of a public health crisis to shut the public out even
more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://appsphilly.net/2021/02/01/ears-on-the-board-of-education-january-28-2021/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://appsphilly.net/2021/02/01/ears-on-the-board-of-education-january-28-2021/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. Lt. Gov. John
Fetterman is officially running for U.S. Senate<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/katie-meyer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Katie Meyer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lt. Gov.
John Fetterman has become the first major candidate to officially launch a
campaign for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate in 2022.The 51-year-old Western
Pennsylvania Democrat’s announcement </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/sitting-on-1-4-million-in-campaign-cash-lt-gov-fetterman-has-filed-for-u-s-senate/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">comes
as little surprise</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Fetterman, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S.
Senate once before, has a steadily rising national profile and has long been
considered a likely contender for the open seat. Politically, he has made a
project of attempting to bridge the increasing conservatism of
de-industrialized, once-Democratic-voting areas with his own brand of
progressive politics. “I believe in the dignity of work and the dignity of a
paycheck,” he said in his campaign announcement statement. “I believe the union
way of life is sacred. I believe in health care as a fundamental, basic human
right.” Fetterman also said he believes in “environmental justice,” wants to
overhaul the American criminal justice system, legalize marijuana nationwide,
and thinks the country needs to increase protections for LGBTQIA people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/pa-lt-gov-john-fetterman-is-officially-running-for-u-s-senate/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/articles/pa-lt-gov-john-fetterman-is-officially-running-for-u-s-senate/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. Lt. Gov. John
Fetterman enters 2022 Senate race, but plenty of rivals are on the launchpad<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/chthomps/posts.html" title="Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Charles Thompson |
cthompson@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated
5:30 AM; Today 5:30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lt. Gov.
John Fetterman has commanded just about all the early public attention in the
nascent race to succeed Sen. Pat Toomey in the U.S. Senate next year. But that
doesn’t mean he’ll have the 2022 Democratic primary ballot all to himself. And
a host of Republicans are going to be vying for the seat as well. Toomey, a
Republican from Allentown, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/sen-pat-toomey-confirms-he-wont-seek-re-election-or-run-for-governor.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">announced
late last year that he would not seek a third term in office.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> A quick check-in with political consultants,
donors, and leaders in both major parties Friday found robust “short lists” for
the purple Pennsylvania seat, which could be one of a handful that proves
decisive in the struggle for majority control in the second half of President
Joe Biden’s time in office. The Senate is right now evenly split, 50-50, but
Democrats have control of the chamber, with Vice President Kamala Harris
holding the tie-breaking vote on key issues. “We need to know a lot more about
the candidates. We need to know a lot more about the political environment,”
said veteran Pennsylvania political analyst G. Terry Madonna. “But it is going
to be one of the marquee races, there is no doubt about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-lt-gov-john-fetterman-enters-2022-senate-race-but-plenty-of-rivals-are-on-the-launchpad.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-lt-gov-john-fetterman-enters-2022-senate-race-but-plenty-of-rivals-are-on-the-launchpad.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Summer School Is a
Hot Idea Right Now. Could It Work?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Numerous
obstacles make extending the school year a tough proposition, but the Biden
administration wants to put billions behind it as a way of offsetting
pandemic-era learning losses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/dana-goldstein"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dana Goldstein</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/kate-taylor"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Kate Taylor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb. 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The idea
makes sense, so much so that at least two governors, a national union leader
and President Biden are behind it: extend this school year into the summer to
help students make up for some of the learning they lost during a year of
mostly remote school. By summer, more teachers will be vaccinated against the
coronavirus. Transmission rates might be significantly lower. And it will be
easier in warm weather for students and educators to spend time in the open
air, which is safer than being indoors. Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia promoted
the idea on Friday, saying that schools should make summer classes an option
for families. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Randi Weingarten, the
powerful president of the American Federation of Teachers, have offered similar
endorsements. Boston teachers and the district have started talking about
summer options. And Mr. Biden is expected to ask Congress to approve $29
billion to fund summer programs and tutoring as part of his pandemic stimulus
package. But if parents and students have learned anything during this crisis,
it is that even simple, intuitive ideas are hard to pull off in a public
education system that is simultaneously decentralized and highly bureaucratic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/05/us/summer-school-covid.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/05/us/summer-school-covid.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next generation
of American voters must learn to decipher fact from fiction<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WHYY By Olga
Polites February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Murder the
media.” Those horrifying words were carved into a door at the Capitol Building
in Washington, DC, during the Trump-inspired insurrection on January 6th. While
many images from that infamous day are seared into my memory, those words have
me thinking about how educators like myself prepare students to be productive
and responsible citizens. The fact that someone would write “Murder the media”
at a symbol of our democracy indicates that we have a great deal of work ahead
of us. The first thing we need to talk about is how people get their
information. We know that social media has disrupted how citizens get their
news. But it also hampers one’s ability to critically read and comprehend
information. Many people rely on their Facebook and Twitter feeds for news
rather than credible new sources, such as the Associated Press or their local
newspaper. The disinformation campaign regarding the legitimacy of the 2020
presidential election is a clear indication of the damage wrought by bad actors
in the conservative media – people such as Fox News’ Tucker Carlson and Sean
Hannity, and radio hosts Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin. The fact that so many
Americans believe lies about widespread voter fraud speaks to the urgent need
to increase media literacy. While it may be too late to provide a significant
portion of the adults with the skills to be better consumers of news, there’s still
time to educate millions of middle and high school students throughout the
United States. The very first skill that must be taught is how to gather facts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/the-next-generation-of-american-voters-must-learn-to-decipher-fact-from-fiction/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/articles/the-next-generation-of-american-voters-must-learn-to-decipher-fact-from-fiction/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New Biden Education
Staffers Arrive via Gates Foundation, K-12 Reform Group, Sen. Sanders<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 05, 2021 5 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The latest
round of political appointees to the U.S. Department of Education include a
veteran of Capitol Hill and Beltway education groups, the former leader of Democrats
for Education Reform’s District of Columbia affiliate, and two former Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation staffers. The Biden administration appointments,
announced Feb. 3, fill spots in key offices, although nominees forthe top jobs
in the office for civil rights and office of planning, evaluation, and policy
development. (We gave folks a heads up about two of the most recent
appointments </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewUjifusa/status/1354779133205688320" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewUjifusa/status/1356743506748993539" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> before they were officially announced.)
However, a few such jobs are being filled on an acting basis. It’s difficult to
discern just one trend or policy direction based on Biden’s Education
Department appointments so far; those who’ve worked for and supported teachers’
unions in the past, for example, will be working alongside union skeptics and
those who’ve drawn labor’s ire in the past. The administration announced
its </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/early-education-department-appointees-have-links-to-jill-biden-teachers-unions/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">first
set of department appointees</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> last
month, and it included two former National Education Association staffers. Meanwhile,
Miguel Cardona’s progression towards becoming the next education secretary
continues, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/miguel-cardona-pressed-by-lawmakers-on-reopening-schools-tests-and-transgender-students/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">following
his confirmation hearing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. The Senate
education committee is due to </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/nominations021121" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">consider
his nomination on Feb. 11</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Here are a
few notable names from the latest round of appointments:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/new-biden-education-staffers-arrive-via-gates-foundation-k-12-reform-group-sen-sanders/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/new-biden-education-staffers-arrive-via-gates-foundation-k-12-reform-group-sen-sanders/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Schools Work Next
Lunch & Learn Webinar: A Deep Dive on the Budget Tuesday, February 9<sup>th</sup>
at Noon</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join PA
Schools Work partners on Tuesday, February 9 at noon for our next Lunch &
Learn webinar, where we will explain the details of the education components of
Governor Wolf's budget proposal. <br />
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://paschoolswork.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a17ee9f29e887a408e1a3de5&id=36366742fc&e=119d26f960" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">You
can register for the webinar here. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA State Board of
Education Student Representative Application Now Available<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 22,
2008 the Pennsylvania State Board of Education (SBE) amended their bylaws to
add one nonvoting senior student member and one nonvoting junior student
member. Since September 2009 two high school students have served on the SBE.
For the past year those students have been senior Anne Griffith from Radnor
High School and Junior Eva Rankin from Upper St. Clair High School. These SBE
positions have provided public school students with an unprecedented
opportunity in Pennsylvania to interact with the 22 adult board members and
have helped shape long-term education policy for the 1.8 million K-12 students
in our state and the 680,000 students impacted by our state system of higher
education. The Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) was first
charged with the responsibility of recommending two students to hold these
positions for the 2008-2009 school year. PASC is currently accepting
applications for our new junior student representative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Current 10<sup>th</sup> grade
students (Class of 2023) enrolled in public high schools in Pennsylvania are
eligible to apply for this position. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The introductory letter, commitment forms and
application can be found </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pasc.net_government-2Drelations&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=2trgnPp0q6Mi0laod-0s-mpSaCAkFIvubmMHZUvKeKM&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <b>Applications are due back on March
8th, 2021.</b> Interviews will be conducted virtually. One student will be
selected for a two-year term at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">More
information can be found at: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw_edit-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=phjEuelrgAKFrp7umF3QMnoWSlZPU8eOmkCf4573U9s&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw/edit?usp=sharing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> . Questions may be directed to the two
current student representatives at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2021@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2021@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2022@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2022@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Town Hall on
education fair funding co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools set Feb. 24<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local by MediaNews Group February 6, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST
GROVE—There will be a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Fair Funding in Education on
Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 pm. The public is invited. The Town Hall is being <a name="_Hlk63515306">co- sponsored by Avon Grove Charter School and Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</a>. Topics include: problem solve fair
funding solutions; learn how public schools are funded in PA.; learn about
the differences between charter & district schools funding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">All are
welcome. RSVP Link - </span></span></span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://forms.gle/8of8ARxr7Zfdfmp97</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to help
you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action Conference
In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/ COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Resolution
for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">348 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 340 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-63574155369146066372021-02-05T09:20:00.000-05:002021-02-05T09:20:23.617-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 5, 2021: Fair, increased funding for Pennsylvania schools is 2021 budget's biggest priority [editorial]<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fair, increased
funding for Pennsylvania schools is 2021 budget's biggest priority [editorial]<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Congratulations to #345 </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/PennridgeSD" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@PennridgeSD</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for passing the charter funding reform
resolution. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Thank you </span></i></span></span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/TomSeidenberger" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@TomSeidenberger</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Representative Shelby Labs, </span></i></span></span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/RepPolinchock" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@RepPolinchock</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></i></span></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Legislative%20Stuff/@RepStaats"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@RepStaats</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></i></span></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Legislative%20Stuff/@SenSantarsiero"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">@SenSantarsiero</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/L6Sphq3DdN" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://t.co/L6Sphq3DdN</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Commonwealth Charter
Academy purchases former Macy’s space at Waterfront<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live </span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/paul-guggenheimer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PAUL GUGGENHEIMER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">| Wednesday, February 3, 2021 1:58 p.m.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A former
Macy’s department store now known as the Waterfront Technology Center has been
bought by one of its current tenants. Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), an
online education platform, has finalized a deal to purchase the redeveloped
office complex from M&J Wilkow and BIG Shopping Centers, which bought the
140,000-square-foot building from Macy’s in 2018. The building is located in
The Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead. It was part of an effort to
continue expanding the center’s mix of retailers and tenants. Following a reuse
conversion, the building was leased at full capacity to Siemens Mobility and
CCA, turning the space into an office and research and development facility.
CCA currently occupies the first floor, spanning nearly 70,000 square feet.
Seimens Mobility will continue to occupy the remainder of the building on the
second floor. M&J Wilkow has been retained by CCA to provide property
management services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/commonwealth-charter-academy-purchases-former-macys-space-at-waterfront/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://triblive.com/local/commonwealth-charter-academy-purchases-former-macys-space-at-waterfront/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63405359"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fair, increased funding for Pennsylvania schools is 2021 budget's
biggest priority [editorial]<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63405359;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Editorial by
</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">THE LNP
| LANCASTERONLINE EDITORIAL BOARD</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">THE ISSUE: “Gov.
Tom Wolf asked lawmakers Wednesday to raise income taxes on higher earners and
give public schools a massive boost in aid, as state government faces a gaping
deficit and uncertainty over how much more pandemic relief the federal
government will send,” </span></b></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/wolf-launches-a-budget-fraught-with-deficits-uncertainty/article_b2fb9242-05de-5985-90dd-e55e879c38ca.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">The
Associated Press reported</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, describing the seventh-year Democratic
governor’s proposed budget. “No matter how great a parent you are, if your
local school system lacks the resources it needs to provide your kids with a
quality education, that’s a barrier to giving them a better life,” </span></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-delivers-2021-budget-address/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Wolf
said in his budget address</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of the urgency for increasing and
fairly distributing public education funding.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wolf’s
proposed path is problematic, but his end goal is absolutely necessary. The
governor is correct in moving boldly to address long-term inequities in how
Pennsylvania funds its public schools. The need is even more urgent than it was
a year ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problems faced by
school districts that simply don’t have the resources to educate children
safely and satisfactorily. But we’re hesitant to fully endorse the governor’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/wolf-launches-a-budget-fraught-with-deficits-uncertainty/article_b2fb9242-05de-5985-90dd-e55e879c38ca.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">specific
proposal to raise state income taxes</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> amid a still-ongoing health crisis. An
approach that potentially stymies job growth and inhibits the eventual economic
recovery doesn’t seem prudent. But the alternative is that school districts,
faced with challenges imposed by the pandemic, will have to raise property
taxes for homeowners. Unless Republican lawmakers have another idea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What cannot
be up for debate is the need to deal aggressively with Pennsylvania’s public
education crisis this year. There can be no more delay. Leaders of both parties
must collaborate and rise to this challenge. If Wolf’s plan isn’t palatable to
Republicans, then the party in control of the General Assembly should offer
aggressive ideas of its own that keep children from being left behind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/fair-increased-funding-for-pennsylvania-schools-is-2021-budgets-biggest-priority-editorial/article_0c9ea23c-6745-11eb-b1d6-efa51fcd96d0.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/fair-increased-funding-for-pennsylvania-schools-is-2021-budgets-biggest-priority-editorial/article_0c9ea23c-6745-11eb-b1d6-efa51fcd96d0.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown
Superintendent Rodriguez sees opportunity for education equity in Wolf budget<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown
Schools Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez does not want to lose the momentum of
the moment. Rodriguez, who is also the president of the Pennsylvania League of
Urban Schools, said he was elated when Gov. Tom Wolf announced his educational
budget priorities in a speech Wednesday. "I am 100 percent in support of
any proposal that provides more resources for our students and our
community," Rodriguez said. Widely leaked details about a major infusion
of funding proposals for public education turned out to be true beyond
Rodriguez's expectations. Among other things, Wolf has proposed funneling all
state education funding through the five-year-old fair funding formula which
would double the amount of state aid Pottstown and other under-funded schools
receive — an increase of more than $13 million. Studies in recent years
have used the fair-funding formula to uncover not only how Pennsylvania's
education funding is skewed to favor wealthier districts, but also how it
favors districts with whiter school populations. Rodriguez pointed out that
"52 percent of Pennsylvania students attend an under-funded school
district." He said urban school districts with the most "Black and
brown students have been undermined by Pennsylvania's unfair education funding
for too long."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pottstown-superintendent-rodriguez-sees-opportunity-for-education-equity-in-wolf-budget/article_61d9e64c-6715-11eb-9624-fb6dc5b356b0.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pottstown-superintendent-rodriguez-sees-opportunity-for-education-equity-in-wolf-budget/article_61d9e64c-6715-11eb-9624-fb6dc5b356b0.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Budget aims at cyber
charter school concerns<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Williamsport
Sun Gazette by PAT CROSSLEY pcrossley@sungazette.com FEB 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Revealed in
Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget agenda this week was a proposal to establish a statewide
cyber charter school tuition rate aimed at reducing the costs to districts for
students attending those schools, which has local superintendents saying it’s a
start, and state cyber charter schools calling it <i>“callously wrong.” </i>Under
Wolf’s proposal, cyber charter school tuition would be established at $9,500. Currently,
cyber charter schools in the state charge between $9,170 and $22,300 per
student each year. The average tuition rate Intermediate Units in the state
charge districts for a comparable online education is about $5,400 per student
annually. This change in how cyber charter schools are funded is estimated to
save school districts an estimated $130 million annually. The governor also
proposed to change the formula for determining funding for special education at
cyber charter schools. Although they are happy that there is some movement in
the direction of a more equitable funding for cyber charters, the district
superintendents contacted agreed that it still was not enough to rectify the
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2021/02/budget-aims-at-cyber-charter-school-concerns/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2021/02/budget-aims-at-cyber-charter-school-concerns/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“What we are currently paying per student
is way too high and does not accurately reflect the cost of the services the
kids get when they go to those cyber charters,” said Michael Boccella, Ed.D.,
Valley View superintendent. “It’s egregious. Our cyber charter laws are among
the most broken I’m aware of.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fair funding, charter
reform proposed for Pennsylvania schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 3, 2021 Updated 1 hr ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 37
school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania would see a combined increase of
$159 million in basic education funding under a budget proposed by Gov. Tom
Wolf on Wednesday. Most of the increase would go to the districts underfunded
for years, as the governor tries to fully use a funding formula meant to
increase equity. The proposal also calls for a $1.15 billion adjustment, so no
school district would receive less than last year, and an increase in the
personal income tax rate to help provide the funding to schools. The Scranton
School District — the largest and most underfunded in Lackawanna County — would
see an additional $39 million in basic education funding in 2021-22, according
to funding estimates provided Wednesday by the Department of Education. Pennsylvania
enacted the fair funding formula six years ago, but the state currently only
distributes new money — or any amount districts receive above 2014-15 funding
levels — through the new formula. Beyond the proposed funding, which some
Republican lawmakers immediately rejected due to the necessary tax increase,
Wolf proposed comprehensive charter school reform once again. Along with
developing standards to hold charter schools accountable for student
achievement and requiring charter school management companies to be subject to
the state’s Right to Know law and Ethics Act, Wolf wants to establish a
statewide tuition rate for cyber charter schools. School districts currently
pay between $9,170 and $22,300 per student who elects to go to a cyber charter
school, even if it’s to the same school. The proposal would set a statewide
rate of $9,500. Coupled with changes to special education tuition rates, the
state estimates districts would save about $229 million a year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/fair-funding-charter-reform-proposed-for-pennsylvania-schools/article_2624bf1a-c944-597d-9c9c-dfff54bf491a.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/fair-funding-charter-reform-proposed-for-pennsylvania-schools/article_2624bf1a-c944-597d-9c9c-dfff54bf491a.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania charter
schools face cuts in governor’s education-focused spending plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By
Christen Smith | </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">The Center Square</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 4, 2021 Updated 11 hrs ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">(The Center
Square) – Gov. Tom Wolf’s $37.8 billion spending </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/2021-plan/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">proposal</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> prioritizes a $2 billion boost in
public education funding to tackle crumbling school buildings, stagnating
teacher salaries and dwindling achievement among disadvantaged students. But
charter schools and the 170,000 students they serve across the state would see
their funding cut under the governor’s plan through policies that standardize
tuition rates and lessen the amount some districts pay. “Finally, we will
be able to fully and fairly fund every school, in every school district, in
every part of the commonwealth,” Wolf said during his annual budget address
Wednesday. “Putting all this funding through the fair funding formula means
that struggling schools will finally get the resources they need without taking
away from schools already being adequately funded.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.tiogapublishing.com/news/state/pennsylvania-charter-schools-face-cuts-in-governor-s-education-focused-spending-plan/article_9e8f73ff-ade8-53b7-b990-ad86e10f392b.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.tiogapublishing.com/news/state/pennsylvania-charter-schools-face-cuts-in-governor-s-education-focused-spending-plan/article_9e8f73ff-ade8-53b7-b990-ad86e10f392b.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf’s $37.8 billion
budget seeks to confront state’s longstanding school funding inequity<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Johnstown
Tribune Democrat </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:By%20John%20Finnerty%20jfinnerty@cnhi.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">By John Finnerty jfinnerty@cnhi.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 4, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG –
Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday laid out a plan to spend $37.8 billion in the
2021-22 fiscal year, an 11% increase over the state’s spending this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wolf's plan calls for a dramatic boost in
school funding to allow the state to confront long-standing inequities in the
way the state divides education dollars between local school districts. The
biggest change is his proposal to increase the personal income tax rate from
3.07% to 4.49%, a move that the administration projects would increase school
funding by almost $2 billion. Wolf is calling on the General Assembly to
cushion that tax increase by providing exemptions for lower-wage earners. Republicans
who hold the majority in both chambers of the Legislature rebuffed the plan as
particularly poorly-timed in that it would seek to hike taxes on people after
so many Pennsylvanians faced economic hardship through the pandemic economic
crisis.. House Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor, R-York, said that he
supports the idea of fairly funding schools, but he called the suggestion that
the state increase the personal income tax at the tail-end of the pandemic’s
economic crisis “absurd.” School groups say that they recognize that lawmakers
are going to be resistant to Wolf’s proposal, but they said the governor is
trying to tackle a problem the state needs to address.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.tribdem.com/news/wolf-s-37-8-billion-budget-seeks-to-confront-state-s-longstanding-school-funding-inequity/article_8ba9addf-d63b-5e26-859b-cea55fb1dff4.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.tribdem.com/news/wolf-s-37-8-billion-budget-seeks-to-confront-state-s-longstanding-school-funding-inequity/article_8ba9addf-d63b-5e26-859b-cea55fb1dff4.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Greater Johnstown
would get $13M windfall under Wolf budget proposal<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Johnstown
Tribune Democrat </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:By%20Joshua%20Byers%20jbyers@tribdem.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">By Joshua Byers jbyers@tribdem.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 4, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Regional
schools are set to receive a significant boost, according to Gov. Tom
Wolf’s proposed state budget, which suggests investing more than $1 billion for
Pennsylvania education funding through an income tax increase. A tentative
plan from the state shows Greater Johnstown, Ferndale Area and Cambria Heights
school districts would benefit the most in Cambria County, while Somerset
Area, Windber Area and North Star would receive the largest boost in Somerset
County. “It would be amazing for us,” Greater Johnstown Superintendent Amy
Arcurio said. Her district would get an additional $13 million for the
next academic year, a 66% increase that would raise the basic
education funding for that district from $19 million in 2020-21 to $32 million
for 2021-22. That’s the largest increase in the area, and Arcurio
said the first item the supplemental money would be used for is to fix the
leaking roof at the elementary school. She added that there’s a “laundry list”
of other undertakings the administration would handle, such as adding
educational programs and hiring more behavioral specialists, guidance
counselors and reading specialists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.tribdem.com/news/greater-johnstown-would-get-13m-windfall-under-wolf-budget-proposal/article_b76cf1ac-66a3-11eb-9e77-f367284ccd70.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.tribdem.com/news/greater-johnstown-would-get-13m-windfall-under-wolf-budget-proposal/article_b76cf1ac-66a3-11eb-9e77-f367284ccd70.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf's massive
education funding proposal is long overdue for some Lancaster County school
leaders, worrisome for others<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lancaster
Online by </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/staff/alexgeli"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">ALEX GELI | Staff
Writer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 4, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facing
intense budgetary pressure from the coronavirus pandemic and years of being
severely underfunded, a handful of Lancaster County schools received a
semblance of hope Wednesday as Gov. Tom Wolf proposed what some school
officials say is a long-overdue shakeup of education funding in Pennsylvania. The
democratic governor’s 2021-22 budget proposal, which some Republicans say is
dead on arrival, builds on previous education funding increases by calling for
a historic, $1.35 billion, or 21.6%, increase in basic education funding. Wolf
is also asking for all basic education funding to flow through the state’s Fair
Funding Formula that presently is used for new money only. That translates to a
$59.5 million, or 32%, boost for Lancaster County schools. The biggest
beneficiaries include Conestoga Valley School District, long regarded as one of
the most inequitably funded school districts in the state. The district would
see a staggering $10.6 million increase to the $4.8 million it received in
2020-21 — an increase of 221%. “For years I have been talking about how
inequitably funded CV has been, and that the application of the Fair Funding
Formula on only ‘new’ monies did nothing to address that inequality, especially
when we are in the lowest five percent of the school districts receiving
equitable funding from the state,” Conestoga Valley Superintendent Dave
Zuilkoski said in an email. “As such, I would not consider this a ‘boost,’ but
rather a long-overdue equitable distribution of state funding.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/wolfs-massive-education-funding-proposal-is-long-overdue-for-some-lancaster-county-school-leaders-worrisome/article_c9ef0e48-6665-11eb-bf82-635f57635a15.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/wolfs-massive-education-funding-proposal-is-long-overdue-for-some-lancaster-county-school-leaders-worrisome/article_c9ef0e48-6665-11eb-bf82-635f57635a15.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As Pa. budget shows,
the governor is from Venus, the Legislature is from Mars<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No
Democratic governor has had even one chamber of the Legislature in his corner
since 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WITF by Charles
Thompson/PennLive Jan Murphy/PennLive FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | 10:49 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Harrisburg)
— Gov. Tom Wolf picked the big lumber off his policy bat rack Wednesday,
unveiling a $37.8 billion state budget proposal that calls for the kind of
sweeping change that he started his tenure in office with six years ago. Wolf
proposed a major tax reform that also — and unfortunately for the governor and
his allies — can be accurately described by his Republican critics as the
single-biggest income tax increase ever seen in Pennsylvania, even though it
would only ask the top one-third of state wage earners to pay more, according
to the administration’s numbers. He has proposed a transformative increase in
funding to Pennsylvania’s public schools, boosting the main budget line for
state aid that districts can use to support their basic education programs by
$1.35 million, with a major shift in the formula that drives out those dollars
to one that puts schools on more equitable footing. He proposed a
quick-turnaround, $3 billion investment in a variety of economic development
programs designed to help Pennsylvania build back better, as President Joe
Biden might say, from the pandemic-fueled recession; this one funded by a new
severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas production. You have to admire the
guy’s ability to go into the policy laboratory and come up with ambitious
ideas. But you might also wonder about his ability to read the political tea
leaves in Harrisburg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.witf.org/2021/02/04/as-pa-budget-shows-the-governor-is-from-venus-the-legislature-is-from-mars/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.witf.org/2021/02/04/as-pa-budget-shows-the-governor-is-from-venus-the-legislature-is-from-mars/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lehigh Valley school
districts would get this much more money under Wolf budget plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By KATHERINE
REINHARD and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-eugene-tauber-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">EUGENE
TAUBER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | FEB 04, 2021 AT 7:00
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s proposed injection of an additional $1.5 billion in basic education
funding would be a “game changer” that would help free school districts from
recurring tax hikes and the need for bailouts to balance budgets, Lehigh Valley
education leaders said. Under </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-wolf-budget-20210203-rok63m2pqbdhdm2gbxn7gzxm3a-story.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Wolf’s
plan announced Wednesday</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Allentown
School District would see its basic education funding grow by $108.9 million to
$229.7 million — a 90% increase over 2020-21 subsidies Bethlehem Area School
District would see its funding go up by $25 million to $58 million — a 74%
percent hike, according to figures released by the state. Other districts in
Lehigh and Northampton counties would see a range from a 1.65% increase to $7.2
million in Northern Lehigh to a 142% hike to $20.7 million in Parkland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-num-wolf-budget-lehigh-valley-schools-20210204-s4dxsxahdnd2vedip5axnzvaai-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-num-wolf-budget-lehigh-valley-schools-20210204-s4dxsxahdnd2vedip5axnzvaai-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Wolf defends
proposed school funding increase, Pa. superintendents remain cautious<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ABC27 by: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.abc27.com/author/andrew-forgotch/" title="Posts by Andrew Forgotch"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Andrew Forgotch</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Posted: Feb 4, 2021 / 01:20 PM
EST </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">/ </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Updated: Feb 4, 2021 / 06:54 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">LANCASTER,
Pa. (WHTM) — Under Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed $1.35-billion education funding
increase, schools across the state would receive more money. In Lancaster
County, one of the districts that would receive one of the highest funding
increases under the proposal is Eastern Lancaster County School District, which
would receive a 55% funding boost. “We’re still trying to figure out where the
budget is really going to come out versus what the Governor asked for,” Eastern
Lancaster County Superintendent, Dr. Robert Hollister, said. Superintendents
are hopeful, but cautious. Wolf is calling for education dollars to be given
out according to a Fair Funding Formula. That’s something schools have wanted
for years. “Growing districts in big cities and rural communities will finally
get their fair share and we can ease the pressure on property taxpayers,” Wolf
said on Thursday. The formula takes into account factors like enrollment,
student poverty, and charter school enrollment. Wolf said it stops public
school children from being short-changed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.abc27.com/news/this-week-in-pennsylvania/governor-wolf-plans-to-increase-funding-for-schools/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.abc27.com/news/this-week-in-pennsylvania/governor-wolf-plans-to-increase-funding-for-schools/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Seeking ways to
fairly fund all schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Post-Gazette
Opinion by Lenny McAllister FEB 5, 2021 12:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">LENNY
McALLISTER</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is CEO of
the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School
district officials still complain about how school choice takes their money as
families increasingly enroll their children in public charter schools. It’s not
their money. It’s taxpayer funding for public school children, regardless of
where a student attends a public school. Starting with Black History Month, we
must pivot from funding fights and back toward equality for all students —
regardless of the schools they are enrolled in. Innovation for education equity
is why lawmakers authorized the creation of public charter schools in 1997.
They saw charters as valuable in correcting downward trends, such as the
school-to-prison pipeline that wrecked many communities for generations. In
contrast, Pennsylvania’s Public School Code — passed in 1949 — still uses a
model of education that predates the 20th century civil rights movement. Disproportionately,
Pennsylvania’s charter community consists of Black and minority, students
historically over-policed, underserved, and disconnected in school districts
for decades. They choose public charter schools for different reasons but with
the same mindset: school choice in public education is a gateway to a better
life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/02/05/Seeking-ways-to-fairly-fund-all-schools/stories/202102040143"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/02/05/Seeking-ways-to-fairly-fund-all-schools/stories/202102040143</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amanda Gorman’s
poetry shows why spoken word belongs in school | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star Opinion By Kathleen M. Alley, Mukoma Wa Ngugi and Wendy R. Williams <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 5, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Not long
after Amanda Gorman recited one of her poems at the inauguration of President
Joe Biden on Jan. 20, three of her forthcoming books </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-inauguration-joe-biden-entertainment-poetry-oprah-winfrey-9c51ba6bff092b2c83412e982ff82e13"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">skyrocketed
to three of the top four spots</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on Amazon. She was also selected
to </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/amanda-gorman-coin-toss-super-bowl-2f143853bbe175117216a6968519c2f5"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">recite
an original poem at Super Bowl LV</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Here, three scholars of poetry explain why
the writings of the 22-year-old Gorman – who became the country’s national
youth poet laureate at age 17 – and her rise to fame represent a prime
opportunity for educators to use spoken word poetry as a lively way to engage
students.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wendy R.
Williams, assistant professor of English at Arizona State University<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">During
my </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.umasspress.com/9781625343970/listen-to-the-poet/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">research
studying a diverse group of spoken word poets in Arizona</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, I learned that adolescents improved their
writing skills, academic performance, confidence and social skills through
writing and performing spoken word poetry. The poets used this medium to heal,
advocate for change and imagine new futures. I noticed that these brave young
writers often delivered stunning lines, such as, “If I sit long enough in a
dark room will I develop like film?” They used poetry to talk back to those who
wronged them. And they used this medium to speak out about injustice. As one
adolescent poet in the study wrote, “We live in a first-world country, yet
inner-city kids still go hungry.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/amanda-gormans-poetry-shows-why-spoken-word-belongs-in-school-opinion/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/amanda-gormans-poetry-shows-why-spoken-word-belongs-in-school-opinion/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Black Lives Matter
Movement goes to school to teach students about social justice<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/burney_melanie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">by Melanie Burney</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">,</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Posted: February 4, 2021- 5:53 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">This week,
the first graders in Tamar LaSure-Owens’ class have started social studies
lessons the same way every day: belting out the lyrics to a Black Lives Matter
song that encourages them to speak up about social injustice. LaSure-Owens used
the catchy song to engage students in her virtual class at the Leeds Avenue
School in Pleasantville to mark </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Black
Lives Matter at School Week of Action</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Teachers across the country are sharing
lessons and having frank conversations about the movement with students of all
ages. “All skin colors are as good as each other. That’s why we should be
treated the same. But for far too long Black people have suffered, so all
around the world we are saying that must change,” the class sang. In
Philadelphia, where more than 50% of students are Black, students began
learning about the Black Lives Matter movement in 2017. Other cities, including
New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, are also teaching it. The idea was the
brainchild of the Caucus of Working Educators, an activist group within the
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. City schools are participating for the
fifth straight year, said district spokesperson Monica Lewis. Teachers are
encouraging students “to see the value of respecting one another and living in
a more inclusive society steeped in equity and appreciative of diversity,” she
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/nj-education-black-lives-matter-schools-week-black-history-20210204.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/nj-education-black-lives-matter-schools-week-black-history-20210204.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘Bored this whole
school year’: Philly students reflect on 11 months online<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/miles-bryan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Miles Bryan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 5, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eleven
months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">That’s how
long it has been since students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia
have stepped into a classroom, chatted face-to-face with a teacher after the
bell rings or gossiped with friends by the lockers. For some young children,
that’s set to change soon. District officials announced a plan last week to
bring </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-plans-to-offer-in-person-k-2-classes-in-february-making-third-attempt-at-reopening/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">some
K-2 students back to class twice a week,</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> starting in late-February. It’s the
district’s third attempt to reopen schools since the pandemic hit last March.
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers opposes any return to the classroom
until </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-school-board-expresses-support-for-return-to-classrooms-at-meeting-with-limited-public-comment/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">all
members that are required to be in school buildings are fully vaccinated</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, which city officials have said isn’t likely
to occur for months. For older students, however, there isn’t a tentative
timetable to leave virtual learning behind. “We want to see how [bringing
younger students back] will go first,” Superintendent William Hite said in late
January. For Philly high school students, that’s meant settling into a school
year that may be held entirely online. Meeting up after class IRL is out.
Making new friends via IG is in. WHYY spoke to students across the city about
how they have come to terms with a high school experience no one could have
predicted, one that nearly a year later has become all too strangely normal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/bored-this-whole-school-year-philly-students-reflect-on-11-months-online/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/articles/bored-this-whole-school-year-philly-students-reflect-on-11-months-online/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite teachers’
concerns, superintendent believes Philadelphia classrooms are safe<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 4, 2021, 5:49pm EST</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">With about
2,000 teachers set to return to buildings Monday, the Philadelphia Federation
of Teachers has asked for a third-party evaluation of whether classrooms meet
high enough safety standards for students and teachers to safely come back this
month for in-person learning. PFT president Jerry Jordan said he requested the
evaluation because there are a number of unresolved ventilation issues. “Due to
ongoing ventilation issues amidst a global pandemic, I cannot, at this time,
say schools are safe to reopen,” Jordan said in an email to his members
Wednesday night.” The union is seeking the assessment under a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://slack-files.com/files-pri-safe/T027C2D58-F01ME7TNCJV/pft_mou_on_reopening.pdf?c=1612467239-bd281bf6079b3016"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">school
safety memorandum of agreement</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> it reached with the district in the
fall. Superintendent William Hite said Thursday that he welcomes the evaluation
and believes the district has taken enough precautions to make schools safe. “Safety
and choice are the two pillars of the [school reopening] plans we’ve created,”
he said, citing not just plans to circulate fresh air in buildings, but other
protocols including frequent and random testing for the virus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/4/22267160/despite-teachers-concerns-superintendent-believes-philadelphia-classrooms-are-safe"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/4/22267160/despite-teachers-concerns-superintendent-believes-philadelphia-classrooms-are-safe</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly teachers’
union says it’s ‘not safe’ to reopen schools, city to appoint mediator. Will
teachers return?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">by
Kristen A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">,</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated: February 4, 2021- 7:15 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Philadelphia School District and its teachers’ union on Thursday moved toward a
possible showdown over plans to reopen schools next week, with teachers
questioning whether it’s safe to return to buildings and Superintendent William
R. Hite Jr. saying he expected them to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Days after
criticism erupted over the district’s plan to use window fans to improve
ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
president Jerry Jordan called on the city to assign a neutral third party to
assess if buildings are ready for reopening Monday. Hite acknowledged that the
expert’s opinion — an option open to the PFT under terms of a reopening
agreement signed by the union and district last fall — could “possibly delay”
students’ return for in-class instruction. It would be the third such change in
reopening plans since last summer. But, the superintendent said, “it will not
delay our expectations for teachers to be in classrooms” on Feb. 8.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-pft-jerry-jordan-20210204.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-pft-jerry-jordan-20210204.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. lawmakers’
spending jumps, boosting reserves during pandemic as deficit ballooned<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/the-associated-press/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">ASSOCIATED
PRESS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">| Thursday, February 4, 2021 3:52 p.m.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG —
The Pennsylvania Legislature’s spending grew by more than 8% last year, adding
some $28 million to its own reserves as the state’s deficit ballooned and many
residents struggled to pay bills during the pandemic. The Legislative Audit
Advisory Commission on Thursday voted without debate to approve the legislative
branch’s spending report for the 2019-20 year that ended in June. Total
spending reached $392 million, up from $362 million the prior year and from
$355 million in the 2017-18 year. Payroll costs grew by about $29 million. The
largest category of legislative expenses, by far, was payroll and benefits,
which cost slightly over $328 million, up from $299 million last year.
Pennsylvania has among the largest legislative staffs in the country. “The
audit went through all the individual accounts and did tests on all the
individual accounts and did not come up with any audit findings as far as
inappropriate spending,” said the commission chairman, Rep. George Dunbar,
R-Westmoreland. Lawmakers boosted their own budgetary reserve from $172 million
to just over $200 million. The reserve, which legislators have justified as a
cushion against running out of money during a future budget impasse with the
governor, was $95 million in 2016-17. It’s now approaching the record size of
$215 million in 2006, the year after the ill-starred — and subsequently
reversed — decision lawmakers made to boost their own base pay in amounts that
ranged from 16% to 34%.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-lawmakers-spending-jumps-boosting-reserves-during-pandemic-as-deficit-ballooned/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-lawmakers-spending-jumps-boosting-reserves-during-pandemic-as-deficit-ballooned/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Will Bellefonte cut
ties with the ‘Red Raider’ mascot in 2021? Board reopens discussion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Centre Daily
Times </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mparish@centredaily.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
MARLEY PARISH</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> FEBRUARY 03, 2021 10:01 AM, UPDATED
FEBRUARY 03, 2021 10:28 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">For more
than 80 years, Bellefonte Area School District students have been dubbed the
“Red Raiders,” but after months of debate, the district could take action on
the Native American mascot and nickname that some community members find
offensive. Though the district is unsure what that action looks like, board
members met for a work session Tuesday to discuss addressing the mascot — a red
Native American with a headdress — and a potential change or compromise. The
name has a long history in the district and has not been without controversy in
previous years. According to Bellefonte Area School District’s website,
the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/bellefonte-change-bellefonte-high-school-mascot" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Red
Raiders</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> were </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.basd.net/Page/15069" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">first introduced to the
district in 1936</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, after a Centre Daily Times reporter
referred to the team that way a year earlier. Chief Okocho, a costume depicting
a Native American and worn by students at activities such as athletic events,
was introduced as the district’s mascot in 1984, according to BASD. It was
“reportedly removed due to its insensitive appearance and poor representation
of Native Americans” in the early 1990s. In 2015, the school made its Native
American symbol a secondary logo, replacing it with a red block letter “B.” The
most recent debate began in June, when a group of BASD alumni began to
circulate an </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/bellefonte-change-bellefonte-high-school-mascot?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=f78fcc10-d965-11e7-b90c-2fe396dd86c1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">online
petition</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in support of replacing the mascot with
something not hostile or stereotypical toward Native Americans. Nearly 6,000
community members have signed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/bellefonte/article248926169.html#storylink=mainstage_card"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/bellefonte/article248926169.html#storylink=mainstage_card</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Miguel Cardona
Pressed by Lawmakers on Tests, Reopening Schools, and Transgender Students<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 03, 2021 11 min
read</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nominee for
education secretary Miguel Cardona vowed at his Senate confirmation hearing
Wednesday to help schools reopen safely and ensure educators and students have
the support they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Cardona did not take a
firm position on the role of standardized tests during the pandemic, and in
general tried to stake out positions on controversial issues such as the rights
of transgender students without seeming combative. President Joe Biden’s pick
to lead the U.S. Department of Education told members of the Senate education
committee that future pandemic relief funding from Congress must focus on
helping students recover from COVID-19 academically and in other ways. Cardona,
currently the Connecticut commissioner of education, championed the importance
of public schools without criticizing charter schools or private school choice.
And in response to questions from several Republican senators who questioned
the fairness of transgender female students competing in girls’ athletic
contests, Cardona insisted that schools had an obligation to provide
transgender students the chance to participate in activities like sports.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/miguel-cardona-pressed-by-lawmakers-on-reopening-schools-tests-and-transgender-students/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/miguel-cardona-pressed-by-lawmakers-on-reopening-schools-tests-and-transgender-students/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Carrying Betsy DeVos’
Torch: More States Push Voucher Programs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School
voucher programs are gaining momentum around the country.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">HuffPost By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.huffpost.com/author/rebecca-klein"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Rebecca Klein</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">In Iowa, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://kwwl.com/2021/01/28/school-voucher-bill-giving-public-money-to-private-education-passes-narrowly-through-iowa-senate/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">a
bill</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> that would directly give families over
$5,000 to help finance the cost of private school is quickly making its way
through the legislature. In Georgia, lawmakers introduced a bill that would
give families savings accounts with money to use on private school tuition. In
Florida, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/republican-party"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Republicans</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> are set to push new legislation that would
expand the state’s already-vast network of publicly funded private school
scholarships. In the first few weeks of 2021, state legislators have introduced
a wave of new bills designed to expand or create new voucher, tax credit and
education savings account programs. While these programs are often
controversial ― eliciting staunch opposition from public school groups and
teachers unions ― advocates say they have seen new momentum after a wave of
Republican wins in statehouses and a pandemic that has forced millions of
schoolchildren to learn from home. So far, new legislation related to private
school choice has been introduced in over 15 states during 2021. Private
school choice programs have long been a pet cause of conservatives, and
expanding such initiatives was the singular goal of former Secretary of
Education Betsy DeVos during the Trump administration. While she failed to
expand these programs on a federal level despite repeated attempts, they are
experiencing a surge at the state level, just weeks after her departure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-school-voucher_n_6019bb29c5b668b8db3c89d9"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.huffpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-school-voucher_n_6019bb29c5b668b8db3c89d9</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rep. Marjorie Taylor
Greene Barred From Spot on the Education Committee<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 04, 2021 2 min
read</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The U.S.
House of Representatives has voted not to allow a GOP congresswoman to join the
House education committee, following a storm of controversy over her </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/republican-who-backed-comments-denying-school-shootings-to-join-house-education-panel/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">support
for claims</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> that school shootings were false flag
operations or somehow staged. In a Thursday vote, the House decided to bar Rep.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., from taking a position on two committees,
Education and Labor and Budget, that House Republican leaders assigned her to
last week. The vote was 230-199, with 11 Republicans joining 219 Democrats. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/marjorie-taylor-greene-mccarthy-blasts-democrats-for-moving-to-punish-congresswoman/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Greene
reportedly apologized</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to GOP
colleagues at a closed-door meeting on Wednesday about her comments about
school shootings, which were posted on social media before her election to
Congress in November. And on the House floor Thursday, she told her colleagues,
“School shootings are absolutely real. And every child that is lost, those
families mourn it.” She called her prior social media posts “words of the past”
that don’t represent her, but didn’t apologize directly to the families and
students affected by school shootings that she commented on. Her remarks failed
to prevent the vote to bar her from her committee positions. Greene’s posts on
social media about the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in
Parkland, Fla., and other school shootings, as well as her endorsement of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-democrats-violence/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">violence
against Democrats</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, received widespread media attention, and
the backlash from Democrats was quick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-barred-from-spot-on-the-education-committee/2021/02?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=eml&utm_campaign=eu&M=59859456&U=1422203&UUID=0515751a8f7e2dd8179e5cd04a881ece"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-barred-from-spot-on-the-education-committee/2021/02?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=eml&utm_campaign=eu&M=59859456&U=1422203&UUID=0515751a8f7e2dd8179e5cd04a881ece</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. Republicans stand
by QAnon congresswoman as House votes to strip committee assignments<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/laura-olson"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Laura
Olson</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">| </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/john-l-micek"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">John
L. Micek</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 4, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WASHINGTON —
Eight out of nine of Pennsylvania’s Republican U.S. House members voted against
removing Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee
assignments on Thursday night. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202125"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">According to an official House roll call,</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> U.S. Reps. Dan Meuser, R-9th District;
Scott Perry, R-10th District; Lloyd Smucker, R-11th District; Fred
Keller, R-12th District; John Joyce, R-13th District; Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th
District; Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-15th District, and Mike Kelly, R-16th
District, voted against the motion brought by the chamber’s majority Democrats,
who cited a series of violent, anti-Semitic comments and social media posts
Green made before being elected to Congress in November. The eight lawmakers
also </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/insurrection-at-the-capitol/2021/01/07/954380156/here-are-the-republicans-who-objected-to-the-electoral-college-count"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">variously
objected to certifying</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Pennsylvania’s
electoral college votes and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/the-electoral-college-meets-today-remember-these-gop-lawmakers-who-tried-to-stop-it-monday-morning-coffee/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">joined
in litigation</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> challenging their state’s election
results. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District, was one of 11 Republicans
who joined Democrats in support. The 230-199 vote came hours after the
Georgia Republican walked back some of her most incendiary comments, saying she
“was allowed to believe things that weren’t true.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-republicans-stand-by-qanon-congresswoman-as-house-votes-to-strip-committee-assignments/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-republicans-stand-by-qanon-congresswoman-as-house-votes-to-strip-committee-assignments/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Schools Work </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">Next Lunch & Learn Webinar: A Deep Dive on the Budget</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Tuesday, February 9<sup>th</sup> at Noon</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join PA
Schools Work partners on Tuesday, February 9 at noon for our next Lunch &
Learn webinar, where we will explain the details of the education components of
Governor Wolf's budget proposal. <br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://paschoolswork.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a17ee9f29e887a408e1a3de5&id=36366742fc&e=119d26f960" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">You
can register for the webinar here. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA State Board of
Education Student Representative Application Now Available<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 22,
2008 the Pennsylvania State Board of Education (SBE) amended their bylaws to
add one nonvoting senior student member and one nonvoting junior student
member. Since September 2009 two high school students have served on the SBE.
For the past year those students have been senior Anne Griffith from Radnor
High School and Junior Eva Rankin from Upper St. Clair High School. These SBE
positions have provided public school students with an unprecedented
opportunity in Pennsylvania to interact with the 22 adult board members and
have helped shape long-term education policy for the 1.8 million K-12 students
in our state and the 680,000 students impacted by our state system of higher
education. The Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) was first
charged with the responsibility of recommending two students to hold these
positions for the 2008-2009 school year. PASC is currently accepting
applications for our new junior student representative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Current 10<sup>th</sup> grade
students (Class of 2023) enrolled in public high schools in Pennsylvania are
eligible to apply for this position. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The introductory letter, commitment forms and
application can be found </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pasc.net_government-2Drelations&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=2trgnPp0q6Mi0laod-0s-mpSaCAkFIvubmMHZUvKeKM&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <b>Applications are due back on March
8th, 2021.</b> Interviews will be conducted virtually. One student will be
selected for a two-year term at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">More
information can be found at: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw_edit-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=phjEuelrgAKFrp7umF3QMnoWSlZPU8eOmkCf4573U9s&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw/edit?usp=sharing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> . Questions may be directed to the two
current student representatives at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2021@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2021@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2022@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2022@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action Conference
In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/ COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Resolution
for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">344 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 340 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-88728906146731995242021-02-04T08:54:00.000-05:002021-02-04T08:54:14.691-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 4, 2021: Statewide Budget Coverage/Reactions; Here Comes 2021’s Voucher Bill SB1<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 4, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Statewide Budget
Coverage/Reactions; Here Comes 2021’s Voucher Bill SB1<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PSBA’s Budget Webinar
rescheduled to February 4<sup>th</sup>,12:00-1:00 p.m. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Due to
inclement weather, Governor Tom Wolf's budget presentation has been postponed
to Wednesday, February 3. Subsequently, PSBA's Budget Webinar has been
rescheduled to February 4. Learn more or register: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/fPws41kMPn?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://ow.ly/mF6550Dp0OB</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Pennsylvania’s system for funding cyber
charters defies common sense. Cyber charters receive the same tuition payments
from taxpayers as brick-and-mortar charter schools—even though they have none
of the brick-and- mortar expenses. No school buildings to heat or grounds to
maintain. No costs for custodians and maintenance workers. No buses for
students. And the list goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">While school districts continue to face
brutal struggles with increased mandated costs and reduced local revenues as a
result COVID-19, the pandemic has been a financial boon for cyber charters. An
enrollment spike combined with tuition rate increases pursuant to the state’s
current charter school policy means school districts are projected to pay cyber
charters more than $980 million this school year —a 51% increase over last
year. Cyber charters will also receive nearly $60 million from </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/CARESAct/May2020/Pages/Allocations.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">spring</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> and </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/CARESAct/January2021/Pages/Allocations.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">winter</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> federal COVID-19 aid for schools and </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/dozens-of-pa-charter-schools-among-recipients-of-federal-small-business-aid/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">millions in federal PPP grants</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Wolf’s 2021
budget offers new opportunity to hold cyber charters accountable | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania’s
newly elected auditor general, Timothy DeFoor, must lay out a calendar to audit
every cyber charter school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">by Susan
Spicka, For the Inquirer </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">Published </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Susan Spicka
is executive director of Education Voters PA.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A new
legislative session in Harrisburg and state budget negotiations for the coming
months, following </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/wires/ap/what-watch-pennsylvania-governors-budget-proposal-20210130.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Gov.
Tom Wolf’s budget addres</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">s today,
bring opportunities for elected officials to end gross overpayments to
Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools to ensure that these schools are held to
the same financial accountability standards as public school districts. Recent </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/as-cyber-charter-school-costs-soar-state-fails-to-conduct-required-audits/article_a3e70510-34cf-59ea-9928-666386b3d275.html#:~:text=Pennsylvania%20cyber%20charter%20schools%20could,a%20Sunday%20Times%20investigation%20found.&text=The%20office%20has%20audited%20just%20two%20schools%20in%20the%20last%20five%20years."><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">reporting
in the Scranton <i>Times-Tribune </i></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">revealed a stunning lack of state oversight
over the taxpayer dollars that have been poured into cyber charters over the
past two decades. Six of Pennsylvania’s 14 cyber charter schools have never
been audited. Commonwealth Charter Academy, the largest cyber charter in the
state with an expected $270 million budget for 2021, was last audited in 2012. Cyber
charter schools are </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pasbo.org/blog_home.asp?Display=123"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">projected to receive</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> more than $980 million in taxpayer-funded </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/School%20Finances/Finances/AFR%20Data%20Summary/Pages/AFR-Data-Detailed-.aspx#.VZwC6mXD-Uk"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">tuition
payments</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in the 2020-2021 school year. With no state
oversight, the opportunities for waste, fraud, and abuse are staggering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/cyber-charters-pennsylvania-2021-school-funding-budget-20210203.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/cyber-charters-pennsylvania-2021-school-funding-budget-20210203.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Along with developing standards to hold
charter schools accountable for student achievement and requiring charter
school management companies to be subject to the state’s Right to Know law and
Ethics Act, Wolf wants to establish a statewide tuition rate for cyber charter
schools. School districts currently pay between $9,170 and $22,300 per student
who elects to go to a cyber charter school, even if it’s to the same school.
The proposal would set a statewide rate of $9,500. Coupled with changes to
special education tuition rates, the state estimates districts would save about
$229 million a year. “What we are currently paying per student is way too high
and does not accurately reflect the cost of the services the kids get when they
go to those cyber charters,” said Michael Boccella, Ed.D., Valley View
superintendent. “It’s egregious. Our cyber charter laws are among the most
broken I’m aware of.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fair funding, charter
reform proposed for Pennsylvania schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 3, 2021 Updated 11 min ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 37
school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania would see a combined increase of
$159 million in basic education funding under a budget proposed by Gov. Tom
Wolf on Wednesday. Most of the increase would go to the districts underfunded
for years, as the governor tries to fully use a funding formula meant to
increase equity. The proposal also calls for a $1.15 billion adjustment, so no
school district would receive less than last year, and an increase in the
personal income tax rate to help provide the funding to schools. The Scranton
School District — the largest and most underfunded in Lackawanna County — would
see an additional $39 million in basic education funding in 2021-22, according
to funding estimates provided Wednesday by the Department of Education. Pennsylvania
enacted the fair funding formula six years ago, but the state currently only
distributes new money — or any amount districts receive above 2014-15 funding
levels — through the new formula. Beyond the proposed funding, which some
Republican lawmakers immediately rejected due to the necessary tax increase,
Wolf proposed comprehensive charter school reform once again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/fair-funding-charter-reform-proposed-for-pennsylvania-schools/article_2624bf1a-c944-597d-9c9c-dfff54bf491a.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/fair-funding-charter-reform-proposed-for-pennsylvania-schools/article_2624bf1a-c944-597d-9c9c-dfff54bf491a.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2021 Voucher Bill - Soon
to be Senate Bill 1: Cosponsorship Memo<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Posted:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>February
3, 2021 03:18 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Senator
Scott Martin and Sen. John DiSanto, Sen. Jake Corman<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All
Senate members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Subject:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Excellence in Education for All
(EEA)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the near
future, we intend to introduce legislation in the form of Senate Bill 1, to be
known as “The Excellence in Education for All Act."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The goal of
this comprehensive legislation is to allow parents in communities all across
the Commonwealth to be directly involved in helping determine the best approach
for the success of their child’s education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This
legislation would provide additional resources for our most vulnerable
students, while ensuring all families have equal access and maximum flexibility
in schooling options. All students deserve an excellent education. No matter a
child’s ZIP code, educational needs, or parental income, each child should have
access to the best schools and quality teaching to afford them the potential to
succeed and the opportunities they deserve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now more
than ever, we’re seeing that in order to best prepare the next generation, we
cannot take a one size fits all approach to education. There is no denying that
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for increased
educational opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As we look
to the future and life after the pandemic, in order to best serve the education
needs of all students we must provide opportunities to parents when choosing
the educational options that work best for their children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Specifically, the key components of the
legislation would include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo25; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education Opportunity Accounts for PA’s most
vulnerable students<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo25; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Expansion of the existing EITC/OSTC tax
credit scholarship programs<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo25; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Charter school reforms and innovations<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo25; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Equal access to the best public education,
regardless of ZIP code<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo25; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Protections for coronavirus learning pods<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo25; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">We ask that you consider co-sponsoring this
important legislation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=34538"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=34538</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PA Schools Work</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> is a non-partisan</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"> </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">coalition of organizations from across Pennsylvania representing
teachers and other educators; urban, suburban and rural communities; and
parents and community members working together to advocate for PA
public schools, their students and the communities they serve. For more
information on PA Schools Work, visit </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://r.sendblue.mypls.com/tr/cl/YrrgBd5s4MZNgWuBLfwTKMwYVjoQHAFS-9j6fFZP5AQnCQN8FIihsgK5Tff3SFXMNStEWMOLZbHSJAGvkliebh0eEHYyMg96FfOFnjN13M95MtQr5n5Ujl59y4B55LH8xRMm2Q5vQMSdKu4bdRkb_WjJO8KrfRoIcfbzzSMzlf_Q7glet9ro"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">paschoolswork.org</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Schools Work: HISTORIC
PA BUDGET PROPOSAL REPRESENTS A MAJOR STEP TOWARD TACKLING PA’s LONG-STANDING
SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Schools
Work Website February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">HARRISBURG,
PA (February 2, 2021) – The PA Schools Work Campaign, a coalition of
more than 30 organizations from across Pennsylvania representing educators;
urban, rural and suburban communities; parents and community leaders working
together to increase funding for PA public schools, saluted Governor Wolf for
his bold $1.5 billion public education budget proposal, which responds to the
moment and sets an historic marker for investing in public education.
Coalition leaders noted that the global pandemic highlighted the critical role
schools play in our communities and our future, while widening the gap between
the wealthiest and poorest schools as school districts remain chronically
underfunded by the state. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">The coalition issued the following statement on behalf of its supporters
across the commonwealth who are seeking leadership during this extraordinary
moment in the education of our students:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“We support
a $1.5 billion public investment that is dedicated to moving Pennsylvania
toward funding each school district equitably and adequately, with the
resources to support it. Let’s get to work.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://paschoolswork.org/historic-pa-budget-proposal-represents-a-major-step-toward-tackling-pas-long-standing-school-funding-crisis/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://paschoolswork.org/historic-pa-budget-proposal-represents-a-major-step-toward-tackling-pas-long-standing-school-funding-crisis/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA’s Response to
Governor Wolf’s Proposed 2021-22 State Budget<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 2, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/press-room/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PRESS ROOM</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mechanicsburg,
PA (February 2, 2021) – The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA)
released its response to Governor Wolf’s proposed 2021-22 state budget.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-delivers-2021-budget-address/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Governor’s
proposal</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> shows that he has assessed and
understands the significant and critical needs of public schools, students and
communities and PSBA appreciates that many of the long- term challenges have
been identified. Proposed investments dedicated to basic education, special
education and the school construction reimbursement program called PlanCon,
show insight from the administration into areas long-requiring additional
support from the State. This year of-all-years, the needs go well beyond
typical expenditure challenges with expenses rising around the impacts to
schools stemming from COVID-19. “The Governor is demonstrating his commitment
to public education and we are hopeful and cautiously optimistic that this
focus will shine a light on the many long-standing issues that need to be
addressed in public education,” said Nathan Mains, PSBA chief executive
officer. With Pennsylvania’s children at the center of the issue, PSBA calls
upon Gov. Wolf and a unified General Assembly to work together towards the
solutions that will get us to where education can flourish in every part of the
state. “School districts not only need investments in key areas but, savings in
the form of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/issue/mandate-relief/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">mandate relief</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> through legislation like Senate Bill
73, which reinstates a mandate waiver program. Further, we need the charter funding
reform that over </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/take-action/school-board-resolutions/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">300
school districts</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> have officially called for that will
put a stop to systemic overpayment for services.” Mains added. As the administration
and lawmakers continue to work towards passage of a state budget PSBA looks
forward to working with them to set the foundation for successful student
outcomes for all student in PA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">####<br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">PSBA is
a nonprofit statewide association of public school boards, pledged to the
highest ideals of local lay leadership for the public schools of the
commonwealth. Founded in 1895, PSBA now in its 125th year was the first school
boards association established in the United States.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/02/psbas-response-to-governor-wolfs-proposed-2021-22-state-budget/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2021/02/psbas-response-to-governor-wolfs-proposed-2021-22-state-budget/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf launches a
budget fraught with deficits, uncertainty<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Delco Times </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By MARC LEVY Associated Press</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG,
Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf asked lawmakers Wednesday to raise income taxes on
higher earners and give public schools a massive boost in aid, as state
government faces a gaping deficit and uncertainty over how much more pandemic
relief the federal government will send. For Wolf, a Democrat in his seventh
year in office, his $4 billion income tax proposal and bid to use the money to
supercharge public school funding is a return to the aggressive and ambitious
budget proposals of his first two years in office. The proposal to raise
Pennsylvania's flat personal income tax rate and shift the burden to higher
earners revives a concept he discussed in his first campaign for governor, in
2014, but never actually sought in office, until now. Raising the income tax
would allow Wolf to use $1.35 billion — a 20% boost — to help fix long-term
inequities in how the state funds public schools, not to mention fill a
projected multibillion-dollar deficit largely inflicted by the pandemic. While
it faces immediate opposition from Republicans in the GOP-controlled
Legislature, the flat rate under Wolf's proposal would rise to 4.49% from
3.07%, or 46%, to raise what his office estimated to be $4 billion over a
full-year, or about 25% more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/news/national/wolf-launches-a-budget-fraught-with-deficits-uncertainty/article_abcc9eb8-9744-5a7b-9eab-7b97042cb626.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.delcotimes.com/news/national/wolf-launches-a-budget-fraught-with-deficits-uncertainty/article_abcc9eb8-9744-5a7b-9eab-7b97042cb626.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What dueling press
releases say about the utter predictability of the budget ballet | Thursday
Morning Coffee<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/john-l-micek/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">John
L. Micek</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 4, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Good
Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-calls-for-income-tax-increase-to-close-looming-state-deficit-fund-education/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Wednesday’s
release</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of Democratic Gov. Tom
Wolf’s seventh budget proposal to the General Assembly was met with the
usual blizzard of press releases from lawmakers and advocates with storylines
more predictable than an episode of late-period <i>Friends</i>. In
general, <b>Wolf’s</b> Democratic allies in the General Assembly were
praising. Republicans were, well, less so. Since re-running each of them
here would result in the needless deaths of trillions of electrons, we instead
decided to pick two such statements as the archetype of partisan reaction. And
then, from there, try to divine what those reactions say about the state of our
current debate, and the fate that might await <b>Wolf’s</b> $37.8
billion spending plan (any interior rhyme in the preceding sentence is entirely
accidental).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/what-dueling-press-releases-say-about-the-potential-fate-of-wolfs-budget-plan-thursday-morning-coffee/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/what-dueling-press-releases-say-about-the-potential-fate-of-wolfs-budget-plan-thursday-morning-coffee/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By the numbers: 2021-22 Budget
Breakdown</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> (Chart)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/cassie-miller/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Cassie
Miller</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;"> - </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 4, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/by-the-numbers-2021-22-budget-breakdown/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/by-the-numbers-2021-22-budget-breakdown/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf calls for income
tax increase to close looming state deficit, fund education<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/stephen-caruso"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Stephen
Caruso</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">| </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/elizabeth-hardison"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Elizabeth
Hardison</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 3, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf appealed directly to Pennsylvanians — not just their lawmakers — on
Wednesday to rally support for tax increases as the state faces down a
multi-billion dollar budget hole this year. Speaking to House and Senate
lawmakers from a virtual bully pulpit, Wolf extorted viewers who agreed with
his aims — additional school funding, a $15 minimum wage, and legal
recreational cannabis <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>— to call their
state representatives and demand action on his proposal. “If you’ve had enough
of being told why your government can’t solve your problems, make it crystal
clear that, this time, you don’t want to hear that anymore; that you won’t
accept any more excuses,” Wolf said. The $37.8 billion plan represents an 11
percent increase in state spending over last year. The new state spending will
replace $3 billion in one-time federal COVID-19 aid that the state used to
close last year’s budget. Given the political and economic circumstances, the
plan Wolf unveiled Wednesday was one of his most ambitious budget proposals
yet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-calls-for-income-tax-increase-to-close-looming-state-deficit-fund-education/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-calls-for-income-tax-increase-to-close-looming-state-deficit-fund-education/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf’s school funding
plan would help Philly. It would give big increases to some wealthier suburban
districts, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">by Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">,</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Posted: February 3, 2021- 8:41 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s plan to dramatically boost education funding by raising the income tax
rate was cheered Wednesday by advocates who have long called for Pennsylvania
to step up its investment in public schools and narrow gaps in resources
between wealthy and poor communities. But Wolf’s budget proposal wouldn’t just
drive dollars to poorer districts like Philadelphia. It would help wealthier
districts, too. Lower Merion, for instance, would see a 60% increase in state
aid. Radnor would get a 65% boost, while West Chester would net a more than 85%
increase. Those percentage increases are greater than the 22.5% granted to much
larger Philadelphia, which relies more heavily on state aid. But Philadelphia
would get an additional $262 million, compared with $2.5 million for Lower
Merion. The Democratic governor’s proposal faces opposition in the GOP-led
legislature, where lawmakers have objected to his income tax plan. The Wolf
administration says the plan wouldn’t affect two-thirds of Pennsylvanians, but
it would nearly double the tax rate paid by higher earners. Senate Republicans
on Wednesday called the proposal “dead on arrival.” The plan casts new light on
the long-running debate over how Pennsylvania funds public education — among
the myriad issues that will now go through months of hearings and negotiations
as lawmakers seek to pass a budget by June 30.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/gov-wolf-budget-school-funding-income-tax-increase-20210204.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.inquirer.com/education/gov-wolf-budget-school-funding-income-tax-increase-20210204.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf asks for tax
increase on Pa.’s top earners amid pandemic; GOP pans proposal as
‘irresponsible’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/couloumbis_angela_spotlightpa/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">by
Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> &</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/cynthia_fernandez/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Cynthia
Fernandez</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">,</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">: February 3, 2021- 6:21 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Spotlight PA</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom
powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The
Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. </span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/newsletters"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Sign up for our free newsletters</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG —
In one of his boldest budget proposals since taking office, Democratic Gov. Tom
Wolf is asking the legislature to significantly boost funding for public
schools, legalize recreational cannabis, and approve the first major tax increase
in nearly two decades. But Wolf’s $40 billion spending plan, which he formally
unveiled Wednesday, is likely to be dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled
legislature, whose leaders wasted little time shredding it with criticism,
calling it unrealistic and hurtful to taxpayers. “The budget he is presenting
is completely unsustainable, totally irresponsible, and absolutely crippling to
the state’s economy,” said Jake Corman of Centre County, the Senate’s top
Republican. “Now is not the time to ask Pennsylvanians to send more of their
hard-earned dollars to Harrisburg.” Still, the Democratic governor, who in
recent years has avoided goading Republican leaders with aggressive spending
proposals, said he believes his budget blueprint will make the state’s
education system fairer and its tax structure more equitable for those reeling
from the financial blows of the pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/tom-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-tax-increase-school-funding-republican-reaction-20210203.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/tom-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-tax-increase-school-funding-republican-reaction-20210203.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Republicans call
Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal 'dead on arrival'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bucks County
Courier Times by J.D. Prose, USA TODAY Network - PA State Capitol Bureau
February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pennsylvania
Senate Republican leaders called Gov. Tom Wolf’s nearly $38 billion budget
proposal “dead on arrival” Wednesday, with Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward
saying it was “absurd” to propose increasing the personal income tax in a
pandemic-ravaged economy. The reaction wasn’t much better in the GOP-led House,
where Speaker Bryan Cutler took issue with Wolf’s proposing an income tax hike
and legalizing marijuana. Cutler, though, went a step further, insisting
that the Wolf administration has mismanaged state government, ranging from
COVID-19 shutdowns to an overwhelmed unemployment compensation system to a
sputtering rollout of coronavirus vaccines. “I cannot, nor will our citizens,
tolerate the quiet dismissal of the open mismanagement that has occurred in our
executive agencies,” Cutler said. Wolf’s proposed budget calls for a 46%
increase in personal income taxes while at the same time recommending a
reduction in taxes for low-wage earners, or married couples with two children
making less than $84,000 a year and the elimination of the tax for
families of four making less than $50,000 a year. “I want to help working
families get ahead by reducing their taxes. This isn’t about pitting the rich
against the poor and the middle class,” Wolf said in a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://pacast.com/m?p=18468" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">recorded address</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, skipping a live appearance before the
Legislature because of pandemic protocols.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/03/wolf-budget-republicans-dead-arrival-senate/4375892001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/03/wolf-budget-republicans-dead-arrival-senate/4375892001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf's massive
education funding proposal is long overdue for some Lancaster County school
leaders, worrisome for others<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lancaster
Online by </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/staff/alexgeli"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">ALEX GELI | Staff
Writer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 4, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facing intense
budgetary pressure from the coronavirus pandemic and years of being severely
underfunded, a handful of Lancaster County schools received a semblance of hope
Wednesday as Gov. Tom Wolf proposed what some school officials say is a
long-overdue shakeup of education funding in Pennsylvania. The democratic
governor’s 2021-22 budget proposal, which some Republicans say is dead on
arrival, builds on previous education funding increases by calling for a
historic, $1.35 billion, or 21.6%, increase in basic education funding. Wolf is
also asking for all basic education funding to flow through the state’s Fair
Funding Formula that presently is used for new money only. That translates to a
$59.5 million, or 32%, boost for Lancaster County schools. The biggest
beneficiaries include Conestoga Valley School District, long regarded as one of
the most inequitably funded school districts in the state. The district would
see a staggering $10.6 million increase to the $4.8 million it received in
2020-21 — an increase of 221%. “For years I have been talking about how
inequitably funded CV has been, and that the application of the Fair Funding
Formula on only ‘new’ monies did nothing to address that inequality, especially
when we are in the lowest five percent of the school districts receiving
equitable funding from the state,” Conestoga Valley Superintendent Dave
Zuilkoski said in an email. “As such, I would not consider this a ‘boost,’ but
rather a long-overdue equitable distribution of state funding.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/wolfs-massive-education-funding-proposal-is-long-overdue-for-some-lancaster-county-school-leaders-worrisome/article_c9ef0e48-6665-11eb-bf82-635f57635a15.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/wolfs-massive-education-funding-proposal-is-long-overdue-for-some-lancaster-county-school-leaders-worrisome/article_c9ef0e48-6665-11eb-bf82-635f57635a15.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf wants to add
$1.3B in basic-ed funding, distribute with fair formula<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wilkes Barre
Citizens Voice </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf is proposing to add more than $1.3 billion in basic-education funding and
wants to use the state’s fair-funding formula to distribute all basic-education
funds to school districts. Wolf said Tuesday his proposal would “ensure
students in every community have the funding to succeed” and would be funded by
a personal income tax increase to 4.49%, up from 3.07%. The administration
claims expanding exemptions would allow two-thirds of income taxpayers would
pay less or the same. The Republican-controlled Legislature would have to
approve Wolf’s education proposal, and opposition is already mounting. Rep.
Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Twp., noted the Legislature last year “kept our
commitment to funding education without raising taxes” in the middle of the
COVID-19 pandemic. “We plan on keeping that commitment again this year,” she
said in a released statement. “There is no reason why, now, as a vaccine is
being deployed, we should be looking to raise taxes on middle class
Pennsylvanians and small businesses who have been crushed by the economic
devastation of COVID-19.” State Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-120, Kingston, said the
Democratic governor’s proposal “would kick our small businesses while they are
already down,” emphasizing the 46% increase in the tax rate. State Sen. Lisa
Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., noted the income tax hike “would be the largest jump
in the last 30 years” and added legislators “cannot ignore that this past year
has been tremendously challenging for so many families in our region, due to
the pandemic and the financial hardships that it has caused.” Sen. John
Yudichak, I-14, of Swoyersville, said he wants to work with Republicans and
Democrats “to better fund our schools without putting any greater burden on
property taxpayers” and is “eager to hear” Wolf’s upcoming budget address. “Fair
funding, however, has always been elusive in a state budget that often
shortchanges local schools like Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton,” Yudichak said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/wolf-wants-to-add-1-3b-in-basic-ed-funding-distribute-with-fair-formula/article_25c80a55-850e-518f-889c-8966462bb7a7.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/wolf-wants-to-add-1-3b-in-basic-ed-funding-distribute-with-fair-formula/article_25c80a55-850e-518f-889c-8966462bb7a7.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf proposes new
budget with tax hike; Republicans say it's DOA<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/bkrawczeniuk"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
BORYS KRAWCZENIUK STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 3, 2021 Updated 11 min ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf proposed a new state budget Wednesday that dramatically raises the state’s
income tax rate to boost public school education funding, but Republicans
declared it “dead on arrival.” They called the Democratic governor’s proposal
“unconstitutional” for broadly expanding income tax forgiveness to shield many
taxpayers from the higher rate. In his budget address, Wolf portrayed a state
government too often unwilling to act boldly to solve chronic problems that
leave public schools inadequately funded, roads unpaved and other problems
untackled. “So let’s stop with the excuses. Let’s move beyond the chronic
timidity,” Wolf said in his budget address. “Let’s do something.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state/wolf-proposes-new-budget-with-tax-hike-republicans-say-its-doa/article_2077128c-9955-5e25-86e1-ed47a876482f.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state/wolf-proposes-new-budget-with-tax-hike-republicans-say-its-doa/article_2077128c-9955-5e25-86e1-ed47a876482f.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public education
advocates hail Wolf’s school budget; Republicans balk at tax proposal<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/deb-erdley/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">DEB
ERDLEY</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">| Wednesday, February 3, 2021 7:42 p.m.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public education
advocates applauded the proposed 21% boost to K-12 funding in Gov. Tom Wolf’s
2021-22 budget Wednesday calling it bold and overdue, even as members of the
Republican-controlled Legislature savaged it. “It is long overdue and very,
very necessary,” said Ron Cowell, the former Allegheny County lawmaker and
founder of the Pennsylvania Education Policy Center. “If enacted by the
Legislature it wouldn’t solve all of Pennsylvania’s K-12 funding problems, but
it will make significant progress in terms of increasing the state share of
funding and closing the gap between the have and have not districts.” “I would
think most people affiliated with public education would be pleased, certainly
there is a need for a more fair and equitable funding,” said retired Norwin
School District Superintendent Bill Kerr. “But realistically, there is going to
be great debate between the governor and the Republican-controlled
Legislature.” Education has become a hot topic across the country as governors
weigh in with new budget plans. Many are wish lists or jumping off points that
lawmakers will pare down or accept in the coming months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/public-education-advocates-hail-wolfs-school-budget-republican-balk-at-tax-proposal/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/public-education-advocates-hail-wolfs-school-budget-republican-balk-at-tax-proposal/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What Allentown School
District could do with an extra $109 million<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By KATHERINE
REINHARD</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">THE MORNING CALL</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">|</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">FEB 03, 2021 AT</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">7:29 PM</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s proposed injection of an additional $1.5 billion in basic education
funding would be a “game changer” that would help free school districts from
recurring tax hikes and the need for bailouts to balance budgets, Lehigh Valley
education leaders said. Under Wolf’s plan announced Wednesday, Allentown School
District would see its basic education funding grow by $108.9 million to $229.7
million — a 90% increase over 2020-21 subsidies. Bethlehem Area School District
would see its funding go up by $25 million to $58 million — a 74% percent hike,
according to figures released by the state. Other districts in Lehigh and
Northampton counties would see a range from a 1.65% increase to $7.2 million in
Northern Lehigh to a 142% hike to $20.7 million in Parkland. “We live every
year with a perpetual budget deficit,” Allentown Superintendent Thomas Parker
said. “This would absolutely change the landscape in how we provide services.” Wolf
announced his education budget Wednesday as part of his proposed $38 billion
general budget for 2021-22, which also includes a proposal to legalize the
recreational use of marijuana and increase the state income tax from 3.07% to
4.49% in a way that would mostly affect higher wage earners. Members of the
Republican-controlled state Legislature immediately slammed the plan,
particularly the income tax hike, dimming any chances of its passing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-pa-budget-20210204-kwib7enb4jcajartu6kn5evoym-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-pa-budget-20210204-kwib7enb4jcajartu6kn5evoym-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Allentown school
superintendent: Resignation is indictment of Pennsylvania’s unfair education
funding<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Opinion </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-paul-muschick-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PAUL
MUSCHICK</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | FEB 03, 2021 AT 8:00
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">It was just
last February that I wrote about Allentown schools Superintendent Thomas Parker
looking for another job only halfway through his five-year contract with the
district. I said then that I didn’t blame him. Leading an impoverished school
district such as Allentown is like being captain of a sinking ship. You keep
bailing, yet water keeps pouring in. You can only do so much. That has to be
frustrating. A year later, Parker has found his lifeboat. He </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-superintendent-parker-resigning-20210202-y2isaqwjmvbilfmlk47ggwch34-story.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">told
the school board Monday</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> he is
leaving for a position at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Flint, Mich.
The foundation supports nonprofits in the area, as well as in England and South
Africa. In his resignation letter, Parker said his role will be to strengthen
education in Flint. A young, ambitious educator such as Parker can have more of
an impact in that type of setting, where he can focus on education instead of
scrounging for money to keep the lights on, as he had to do every year in
Allentown. I wish him well. Bon voyage. And I wish state officials will
consider his departure another failure on their part to educate the students of
Allentown, and cities in similar predicaments. Because there will be more
Thomas Parkers if the state doesn’t get its act together and correct school
funding. Education administrators with promise — Parker was moving up the ranks
fast for his age — will last only so long under those circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-thomas-parker-allentown-schools-resignation-20210203-dz4zjevcqvd6vkewgfwq2rwxl4-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-thomas-parker-allentown-schools-resignation-20210203-dz4zjevcqvd6vkewgfwq2rwxl4-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia schools
could get $300 million more in Wolf’s proposed budget<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 3, 2021, 7:03pm EST</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gov. Tom
Wolf proposed Wednesday a groundbreaking state budget that would significantly
boost state education aid for public schools and redistribute the funds in a
way that is more aligned to districts’ enrollment and needs. The reallocation
would largely benefit urban areas like Philadelphia. If Wolf’s plan is adopted,
the state’s largest district would receive more than $300 million in additional
funds next year. Wolf, who is approaching the end of his second term, wants to
hike the income tax rate on higher earners — </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-proposes-plan-to-cut-taxes-for-working-class-families-invest-billions-in-education-and-workforce-development/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">over
$84,000 for a family of four</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — to
pay for the increases. This would raise $3 billion, about half of which would
go to education. “Today, I’m proposing we do things differently,” he said in
a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-delivers-2021-budget-address/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">20-minute,
virtual budget address.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> He said
changing the way the state allocates aid will address longstanding and damaging
inequitable and inadequate education funding in the state. “Far too many
parents across the commonwealth...felt like the opportunities available to
their kids would be determined less by their talent and more by their zip
code,” he said. Democrats and education advocates praised the governor’s action
as needed and long overdue. “We’ve been waiting for this moment,” said state
Sen. Vincent Hughes, a Philadelphia Democrat whose legislative district
includes some wealthy districts adjacent to the city. “This is something we
have been fighting to achieve for decades...to deal with a significant level of
inequity in education funding. The governor has thrown out a challenge.” Republican
legislative leaders objected to the proposal, particularly the proposed tax
hike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/3/22265337/philadelphia-schools-could-get-300-million-more-in-wolfs-proposed-budget"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/3/22265337/philadelphia-schools-could-get-300-million-more-in-wolfs-proposed-budget</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf budget gives
huge boost to schools in Philly, Allentown, Reading and other cities<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/miles-bryan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Miles Bryan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">February 3, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The budget
proposal Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled this week would significantly
alter how state education funding is distributed, prioritizing the neediest
schools based on the most up-to-date data. That may sound intuitive, but it
means largely abandoning a 30-year-old policy known as </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/advocates-highlight-how-pa-s-outdated-school-funding-policy-causes-deep-inequities/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">‘hold
harmless,’</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> which bars the state from funding
school districts at levels lower than the prior year. That policy has largely
benefitted districts where enrollment has dropped precipitously at the expense
of urban districts where poverty rates are high. Instead, Wolf would route the
majority of the state’s basic education funding through the 2016 funding
formula that more closely ties dollars to student need. Currently, only 11% of
Pennsylvania’s $6.8 billion basic education subsidy is distributed via that formula.
“Putting all this funding through the fair funding formula means that
struggling schools will finally get the resources they need without taking away
from schools already being adequately funded,” Wolf said Wednesday. The
governor is also calling for a $1.35 billion increase to the state’s main pot
of education cash, which would prevent any districts from seeing a budget cut
based on his redistribution proposal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/wolf-budget-gives-huge-boost-to-schools-in-philly-allentown-reading-and-other-cities/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/articles/wolf-budget-gives-huge-boost-to-schools-in-philly-allentown-reading-and-other-cities/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Republican lawmakers
call Wolf's draft budget 'tone deaf'<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Erin
Bamer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Dispatch February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">State
Republican lawmakers widely panned Gov. Tom Wolf's draft budget Wednesday,
calling the tax hikes sought by Pennsylvania's Democratic
governor "tone deaf." On Wednesday, Wolf rolled out his 2021-22
budget proposal, which would hike the state's income tax rate in
order to increase funding for public education by about $2 billion. "Universal
high quality education leads to healthier people and healthier
communities," he said in his address. Wolf has for years battled
with GOP lawmakers who run both chambers of the General Assembly. He's repeatedly
sought a new fee on oil and gas producers in order to bolster state revenue,
only to see them die in the Legislature. But the $40 billion draft budget
unveiled Wednesday may be among Wolf's most progressive. It includes raising
personal income tax rates for the wealthy, a 25% tax cut for businesses and a
plan to raise minimum wage. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/03/republican-lawmakers-call-wolfs-draft-budget-tone-deaf/4372895001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/02/03/republican-lawmakers-call-wolfs-draft-budget-tone-deaf/4372895001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown Schools use
Black History Month to kick off 'cultural competency' initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 4, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POTTSTOWN —
Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth are all great names in
Black American history, celebrated every month in February. "We look at
the big names when we teach history, and it is used to objectify the narrative
of African-American history, to say that they stand out as the exception, and
not the rule," according to Tonya Thames Taylor. Thames Taylor is the
founding director of West Chester University's African American Studies program
and a member of the executive committee of the Frederick Douglass Institute
there and she spoke the above words </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/west-chester-professor-offers-nuanced-view-of-black-history-in-pottsgrove-manor-lecture/article_b7430732-5738-11ea-a38c-eb8c45df8468.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">last
February during a talk at Pottsgrove Manor.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> But as Thames Taylor emphasized, Black
history is so much more than these great names and stories repeated over and
over every February. Because few enslaved people could read or write, their
stories were not preserved by being written down, and so much of early Black
American history won't be read in your average American history book. But
that's changing and thanks to a new initiative in the Pottstown School
District, they will be part of the history and literature curriculum being
taught.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pottstown-schools-use-black-history-month-to-kick-off-cultural-competency-initiative/article_ad3c743c-65a9-11eb-9da3-1b1357d1a52a.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pottstown-schools-use-black-history-month-to-kick-off-cultural-competency-initiative/article_ad3c743c-65a9-11eb-9da3-1b1357d1a52a.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teachers at Mars Area
School District threaten strike<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PITTSBURGH
POST-GAZETTE FEB 4, 2021 5:53 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Mars
Area teachers union has issued a strike notice to the school district if a new
contract is not reached by Feb. 19. The Mars Area Education Association said
Thursday morning that it notified Mars Area School District superintendent Mark
Gross of an impending strike after a nearly three-hour bargaining session
Wednesday night produced no agreement. The notice states that teachers will
begin their strike on Feb. 19 if a contract isn’t reached. The current contract
expired on June 30. The union said it is still open to continue negotiations. “In
an effort to fairly settle the contract and avoid the strike, the Teachers are
available to negotiate as often as the District is willing and available,” the
union said in a statement. “The Teachers are hopeful that the District will
come to the table to negotiate and reach a fair agreement that benefits all
stakeholders – students, teachers, and the community.” District officials were
not immediately available for comment. Union officials said preliminary
negotiations began in September 2019, but both sides failed to reach an
agreement. The union authorized its negotiating team to issue the strike
notice at a membership meeting Nov. 9.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/04/Teachers-Mars-Area-school-district-strike-negotiations/stories/202102040101"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/04/Teachers-Mars-Area-school-district-strike-negotiations/stories/202102040101</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Spot the International
Space Station <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Flying over
Philly Area at 6:22 this evening; Check your location here….<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_States&region=Pennsylvania&city=Benjamin_Franklin_Naitonal_Memorial"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_States&region=Pennsylvania&city=Benjamin_Franklin_Naitonal_Memorial</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Lakes of
Pontchartrain - Paul Brady 1977<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube Runtime
5:37<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad8RVexRUoQ"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad8RVexRUoQ</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA State Board of
Education Student Representative Application Now Available<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 22,
2008 the Pennsylvania State Board of Education (SBE) amended their bylaws to
add one nonvoting senior student member and one nonvoting junior student
member. Since September 2009 two high school students have served on the SBE.
For the past year those students have been senior Anne Griffith from Radnor
High School and Junior Eva Rankin from Upper St. Clair High School. These SBE
positions have provided public school students with an unprecedented
opportunity in Pennsylvania to interact with the 22 adult board members and
have helped shape long-term education policy for the 1.8 million K-12 students
in our state and the 680,000 students impacted by our state system of higher
education. The Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) was first
charged with the responsibility of recommending two students to hold these
positions for the 2008-2009 school year. PASC is currently accepting
applications for our new junior student representative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Current 10<sup>th</sup> grade
students (Class of 2023) enrolled in public high schools in Pennsylvania are
eligible to apply for this position. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The introductory letter, commitment forms and
application can be found </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pasc.net_government-2Drelations&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=2trgnPp0q6Mi0laod-0s-mpSaCAkFIvubmMHZUvKeKM&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Applications are due back on March 8th,
2021. Interviews will be conducted virtually. One student will be selected for
a two-year term at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">More
information can be found at: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw_edit-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=phjEuelrgAKFrp7umF3QMnoWSlZPU8eOmkCf4573U9s&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw/edit?usp=sharing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> . Questions may be directed to the two
current student representatives at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2021@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2021@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2022@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2022@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action Conference
In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/ COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join PFPS and NPE for
“Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher Bills and
Tools to Oppose Them” Webinar Feb. 4<sup>th</sup> 4 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Author: PFPS
Posted: Jan 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public Funds
Public Schools resumes our engaging and well attended webinar series begun in
2020 with the first installment of 2021. Join PFPS and the Network for Public
Education on Thursday, February 4, at 4 p.m. EST for an important and topical
webinar, “Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher
Bills and Tools to Oppose Them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Panelists
will discuss the significant private school voucher bills that have already
been introduced in State Legislatures around the country, additional legislative
action to watch for during 2021 legislative sessions, and tools and resources
made available to advocates by PFPS and others. The webinar will feature
representatives from the SPLC Action Fund and Education Law Center, which
support the PFPS campaign, and from the National Coalition for Public
Education, as well as Carol Burris, Executive Director of the Network for
Public Education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Use
this </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/PFPSwebinar" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">link</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to register for</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Fighting Voucher Legislation: An Update
on State Voucher Bills and Tools to Oppose Them <i>on February 4 at 4 p.m.
EST.</i></span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Resolution
for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">344 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 340 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-77977567189611070442021-02-03T08:14:00.006-05:002021-02-03T08:14:52.740-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 3, 2021: Wolf Budget Addresses Fair Funding Formula, Basic Ed and Special Ed Funding, Hold Harmless, Charter Reform, EITC/OSTC<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf Budget Addresses
Fair Funding Formula, Basic Ed and Special Ed Funding, Hold Harmless, Charter
Reform, EITC/OSTC<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Wolf
Delivers His Budget Address for the 2020-21 Fiscal Year at 11:30 a.m. Today</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Watch Live Stream
Here: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/live/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.governor.pa.gov/live/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PSBA’s Budget Webinar
rescheduled to February 4<sup>th</sup>,12:00-1:00 p.m. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Due to
inclement weather, Governor Tom Wolf's budget presentation has been postponed
to Wednesday, February 3. Subsequently, PSBA's Budget Webinar has been
rescheduled to February 4. Learn more or register: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/fPws41kMPn?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://ow.ly/mF6550Dp0OB</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: Senator Mensch serves as
Majority Caucus Chair<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Hold Harmless”: Sen.
Bob Mensch: Pennsylvania's antiquated school funding formula needs reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Delco Times Opinion
By Sen. Bob Mensch Guest columnist February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">State Sen.
Bob Mensch is a Republican who represents the 24th Senatorial District in
portions of Montgomery, Berks and Bucks counties.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rising
property taxes seems to be the story in all too many communities across our
region. And yet so many of our schools still indicate they don’t have the
resources required to deliver a top-notch education. These problems are largely
rooted in the “hold harmless” seed planted by the state three decades ago,
before I was a member of the Legislature. The hold harmless policy states that
school districts cannot receive less state funding than they did the year
prior. The policy was enacted in 1992 and hasn’t been changed since. In fact,
since then the state has guaranteed districts small annual increases, even when
they have decreasing enrollment. In a reasonable world where public funds are
spent only where there is need, a system that gives more money to educate fewer
students each year would make no sense. Case in point: Across Pennsylvania,
districts that have lost students since 1992 now have $3,200 more per student,
while districts that are growing have just $1,000 more per student, according
to a new report from Public Citizens for Children and Youth. The vast majority
of school districts in southeastern Pennsylvania are growing, including in my
legislative district, and the state’s funding system puts taxpayers in a bind,
causing property taxes to rise year after year just so schools can stay afloat.
Working families, seniors and businesses in these communities are footing the
bill for the state’s irrational funding approach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/sen-bob-mensch-pennsylvanias-antiquated-school-funding-formula-needs-reform/article_1fa0d82f-7c16-5844-a9fa-2f9aacf648ac.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/sen-bob-mensch-pennsylvanias-antiquated-school-funding-formula-needs-reform/article_1fa0d82f-7c16-5844-a9fa-2f9aacf648ac.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Wolf
Proposes Plan to Cut Taxes for Working Class Families, Invest Billions in
Education and Workforce Development<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor
Wolf’s Website February 02, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Historic Tax
Cut Proposal Will Reduce or Eliminate Taxes for Thousands of Working Class
Families; Governor Will Deliver His Annual Budget Address Via Video Wednesday<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Tom
Wolf outlined his budget plan to remove barriers and cut taxes for working
class families in Pennsylvania while investing billions of dollars into
Pennsylvania schools and workforce development initiatives. The governor’s
plan would make Pennsylvania’s tax structure more fair and equitable, cutting
taxes for working class families while still making historic investments in public
education through the fair funding formula. “We will defeat COVID, but we can’t
yet say when it will be safe for life to return to normal – and it’s hard to
know what ‘normal’ will even look like. But I refuse to tell any young family
in Pennsylvania that they just happen to be starting out at the wrong time –
that, with everything going on, 2021 just isn’t going to be the year we get
around to lifting the barriers that stand between them and the future they hope
to provide for their children,” Gov. Wolf said. “I think it’s more important
than ever that we act boldly and courageously to remove those barriers once and
for all. So, today, I’m proposing a budget designed to do exactly that.” The
governor, who will deliver his annual budget address via video on Wednesday, is
asking Pennsylvanians to join him in urging the General Assembly to focus
on these priorities as the 2021-22 state budget negotiations begin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-proposes-plan-to-cut-taxes-for-working-class-families-invest-billions-in-education-and-workforce-development/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-proposes-plan-to-cut-taxes-for-working-class-families-invest-billions-in-education-and-workforce-development/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: I have selected some proposed
ed policy items from the Governors press release:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Put all Basic
Education Funding through the Fair Funding Formula</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The governor
is proposing a more than $1.3 billion investment in basic education funding.
This investment directs all existing state-level basic education funding
through the Fair Funding Formula and includes an $1.15 billion adjustment so
that no school district is negatively affected. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Increase Special
Education, Head Start and PreK Funding </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition
to the increase in Basic Education Funding, there is a $200 million increase in
the Special Education Funding Formula. The increase in special education
funding ensures school districts have the basic resources they need to provide
high-quality special education services to students with disabilities and
special needs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Comprehensive Charter
School Law Reform </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania’s
Charter School Law, passed in 1997, established public charter schools with
greater flexibility to support innovation in partnership with the public
education system. Since then, some charters have strayed from this original
purpose and engaged in questionable operational practices and poor academic
performance. Additionally, charters are a major uncontrolled cost-driver for
local school districts, resulting in higher property taxes across the state. The
governor’s plan proposes comprehensive Charter School Law reform that will save
school districts across the commonwealth an estimated $229 million per year.
These resources can be reinvested into students and educators. This package of
policy and budget initiatives promotes innovation and choice in the charter
sector while ensuring charter schools are providing a high-quality education,
accountable for their academic performance and financial management, and
meeting the same standards Pennsylvanians expect from traditional public
schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo18; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Applying the Special Education Formula to All
Charter Schools</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Currently,
school districts receive funding for special education students through a
four-tiered Special Education Funding formula, with funding increasing as
the student’s need for special education services increases. Special
education tuition payments to charters, however, are calculated based on
the outdated assumption that all school districts have a special education
population of 16 percent, regardless of the level of services a student’s
Individualized Education Plan outlines. The governor’s plan applies the
four-tiered Special Education Funding formula to all charters to better
align Special Education Funding with actual costs of providing services to
special education students. This was a recommendation from the bipartisan
Special Education Funding Commission and will save school districts an
estimated $99 million annually.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo18; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Establishing a Statewide Cyber Charter Tuition
Rate</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Currently,
cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania charge school districts between $9,170
and $22,300 per student per year. For comparison, the typical tuition
rates an Intermediate Unit charges to provide a comparable online
education is around $5,400 per student per year. The governor’s plan
establishes a statewide cyber tuition rate of $9,500 per student per year
and will better align tuition with the actual costs of providing an online
education. This reform will save school districts an estimated $130
million annually.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo18; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Improving the Redirection Process</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Currently,
if a school district does not pay the tuition for the students in its
district who attend a charter school or there is a dispute between a
school district and a charter on tuition payments, the charter school may
petition the Department of Education to reconcile the dispute through the
redirection process. This plan provides clarification on the redirection
process, including the basis for reported expenditures and the deductions
included in the tuition rate calculation, to increase fairness,
accountability, and transparency.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Introduce
Accountability into the EITC and OSTC</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit
(OSTC) are popular programs. The governor’s plan lowers the maximum
administrative set-aside for scholarship organizations participating in these
programs from 20 percent to 5, which will increase the amount of money
available for scholarships by up to $36 million without increasing costs for
taxpayers. Scholarship organizations will be required to report more
information on the students and families who receive scholarships and their
educational outcomes, so that scholarships can be directed to students with the
greatest need and all students choosing to take advantage of these programs
receive a high-quality education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attract and Retain
the Best Teachers for Our Children</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The governor
is proposing to increase the minimum salary to $45,000 per year. This will
better align with the current cost of living and will ensure that Pennsylvania
schools are offering competitive salaries so they can attract the most
qualified and talented teachers to educate our children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is a survey of budget coverage from
around the state:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">AP sources: Wolf to
seek more school funding, tax increase<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">AP News By
MARC LEVY February 2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG,
Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf will propose a sweeping new plan to dramatically boost
funding for public schools, to be supported by an increase in the state’s personal
income tax rate, people briefed on the plan told The Associated Press. Wolf’s
administration has not publicly released details of the plan ahead of Wednesday’s
planned budget address, and three people briefed on it spoke on condition of
anonymity because they said Wolf administration officials asked them not to
reveal what they were told. Under the plan for the fiscal year beginning July
1, Wolf, a Democrat, will ask the Republican-controlled Legislature for what
could approach $2 billion extra for public schools. The biggest part of that,
$1.35 billion, would be distributed to schools to their primary operations,
like teacher salaries and supplies, on top of the $6.8 billion they currently
receive. It’s not yet known if any of that extra funding would go directly to
pandemic-related costs. All of that money would go out through a five-year-old
school funding formula designed to iron out inequities in how Pennsylvania
funds the poorest public schools. Schools also would receive another $200
million for special education aid, on top of the $1.2 billion they currently
receive, in addition to other sums of money, the people said. The personal
income tax increase would take the rate to 4.49% from 3.07%, but increase the
exemption for the lowest earners, the people said. Under that scenario, the
lowest earners would pay less in income tax, while approximately the top
one-third of taxpayers would pay more, the people said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-tom-wolf-01fc4c2b95596727635c6bbbb3d17544"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-tom-wolf-01fc4c2b95596727635c6bbbb3d17544</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Lawmakers </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/10/12/Pa-has-history-of-contentious-tax-hike-efforts/stories/201510120017"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">haven’t increased Pennsylvania’s income tax since 2003</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">. The commonwealth currently has </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://taxfoundation.org/state-individual-income-tax-rates-and-brackets-for-2020/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">one of the lowest rates</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> in the country and is one of nine states that assesses a
flat rate on all taxpayers — which means all earners have their income assessed
at the same percentage.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf pitches massive
attempt to fix Pa. school funding inequities with income tax hike<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The proposal
would increase the state’s personal income tax from 3.07% to 4.49% in the next
fiscal year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WITF by Katie
Meyer/WHYY Miles Bryan/Keystone Crossroads FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | 5:11
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Harrisburg)
— Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing a major overhaul of public school finance, aimed
at addressing resource inequities, that would be backed by a significant
increase to Pennsylvania’s personal income tax. A day before his scheduled
annual budget address, Wolf’s outline of the fiscal plan is winning him
plaudits from many education advocates, but few friends in the GOP-controlled
legislature. The proposal would increase the state’s personal income tax from
3.07% to 4.49% in the next fiscal year. About half of the new revenue would go
to schools, and the rest would help fill in big, largely pandemic-induced
budget gaps. “We can have a great public school for every child in every
neighborhood in Pennsylvania, good job opportunities for everyone who wants
them, and an economy strong enough to provide for everyone,” Wolf said in a
statement. “It is possible to pursue a legislative agenda for this commonwealth
that is good for families, good for businesses, and good for the economy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.witf.org/2021/02/03/wolf-pitches-massive-attempt-to-fix-pa-school-funding-inequities-with-income-tax-hike/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.witf.org/2021/02/03/wolf-pitches-massive-attempt-to-fix-pa-school-funding-inequities-with-income-tax-hike/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gov. Tom Wolf wants
to raise Pa. income taxes and give $1.5 billion more to schools</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The proposal
was cheered by education advocates but appeared likely to face opposition in
the Republican-led Legislature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Feb 2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As he looks
to Pennsylvania’s post-pandemic future, Gov. Tom Wolf is returning to familiar
ideas: more money for schools, paid for with more tax dollars. On Tuesday,
Wolf’s administration unveiled highlights of the budget proposal he’s expected
to deliver to legislators Wednesday. It features an extra $1.5 billion for
public education — in what would be the biggest financial boost for schools
since he took office in 2015 — accompanied by a roughly 50% increase in the
personal income tax rate. While sweeping proposals from earlier in his tenure
fell short amid stalemates with the Republican-led legislature, the Democratic
governor appears to be renewing his push for broader changes to Pennsylvania’s
taxation system as the pandemic continues to upend the state’s public schools. The
plan — which also includes tax credits that officials said would exempt
two-thirds of Pennsylvanians from the increase — was cheered by public
education advocates, who said it would steer needed resources to underfunded
schools and marked a step toward addressing stark funding gaps between
districts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/gov-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-income-tax-public-schools-20210202.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/gov-wolf-pennsylvania-budget-income-tax-public-schools-20210202.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf to seek personal
income tax hike to boost school funding<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-staff/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Capital-Star
Staff</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">(*This story
was updated at 3 p.m. on 2/2/21 with new information about the administration’s
tax plan, further details on its education funding plan, and comment from
education advocate Donna Cooper.)</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gov. Tom
Wolf will ask state lawmakers to approve an increase to Pennsylvania’s personal
income tax to pay for new funding for public schools. He is expected to unveil
the plan when he makes his annual budget address to state lawmakers on Wednesday, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-tom-wolf-01fc4c2b95596727635c6bbbb3d17544"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">the
Associated Press was first to report</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. In a statement, the Democratic governor
said he will ask the Republican-controlled General Assembly for as much as $2
billion in new funding, with the biggest share, $1.35 billion, used to
underwrite such core costs as teacher salaries and supplies, on top of the $6.8
billion they currently receive from the state. The money would be driven out
through the state’s five-year-old school funding formula, which is supposed to
level the playing field between the state’s richest and poorest school
districts, the administration said in its statement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/report-wolf-to-seek-personal-income-tax-hike-to-boost-school-funding/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/report-wolf-to-seek-personal-income-tax-hike-to-boost-school-funding/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Wolf proposes
Pa.’s biggest tax increase ever, but it would be a tax cut for many<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Charles%20Thompson%20%7C%20cthompson@pennlive.com%20"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Charles
Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">and </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Jan%20Murphy%20%7C%20jmurphy@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Jan Murphy |
jmurphy@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb 02, 2021; Posted Feb 02,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf's 2021-22 budget proposal includes the largest personal income tax rate
increase in state history while also providing some tax forgiveness or relief
to lower-income Pennsylvanians. Gov. Tom Wolf, in proposing what may be the
largest increase in the state personal income tax ever, is effectively trying
to reverse engineer the state’s existing flat tax rate into a graduated tax
system. The governor is proposing to raise the state’s personal income tax from
3.07 percent today to 4.49 percent, starting in July, netting the state close
to $3 billion annually. For some individuals, it would represent a 46.3 percent
increase in the state’s personal income tax rate. But it’s all structured in a
way that only the top-third of state wage-earners would actually pay more, and
most would pay less or see no change in their tax rate, according to the Wolf
administration. “It’s a big step forward in making our very unfair tax system a
little bit more fair,” said Marc Stier, director of the liberal-leaning
Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center. “Only about the top third of
Pennsylvania families will see an increase.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/gov-wolfs-proposes-pas-biggest-tax-increase-ever-is-a-tax-cut-for-many.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/gov-wolfs-proposes-pas-biggest-tax-increase-ever-is-a-tax-cut-for-many.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom Wolf to
propose tax increase to benefit public schools, give tax breaks to some
families<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/jmurphy/posts.html" title="Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">and </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/chthomps/posts.html" title="Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Charles Thompson |
cthompson@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb
02, 2021; Posted Feb 02, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gov. Tom
Wolf’s 2021-22 budget proposal contains the largest increase in education
spending Pennsylvania has ever seen along with a sizable increase in the
state’s personal income tax rate. While the governor is proposing to raise the
income tax for the first time in nearly two decades, some of the new money
would be directed to provide tax relief for lower income families and some
tax-shifting at the local level. According to sources, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/marijuana-natural-gas-tax-and-higher-minimum-wage-pa-gov-wolfs-budget-plan-carries-familiar-themes.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">the
governor will be proposing </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">hiking the 3.07% personal income tax rate
rise to 4.49%, starting July 1. That would be the first time it has increased
since 2003. An increase of that size in the personal income tax would raise
more than $3 billion annually. There are nine states with flat tax rates like
Pennsylvania currently range from 3.07% in Pennsylvania to 5.25% in North
Carolina. With this proposed increase, it would push Pennsylvania into the seventh
spot out of nine with only Indiana at 3.23% and Michigan at 4.25% being lower. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/gov-tom-wolf-to-propose-major-tax-increase-to-benefit-public-schools.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/gov-tom-wolf-to-propose-major-tax-increase-to-benefit-public-schools.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolf wants to add
$1.3B in basic-ed funding, distribute with fair formula<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wilkes Barre
Citizens Voice </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf is proposing to add more than $1.3 billion in basic-education funding and
wants to use the state’s fair-funding formula to distribute all basic-education
funds to school districts. Wolf said Tuesday his proposal would “ensure
students in every community have the funding to succeed” and would be funded by
a personal income tax increase to 4.49%, up from 3.07%. The administration
claims expanding exemptions would allow two-thirds of income taxpayers would
pay less or the same. The Republican-controlled Legislature would have to
approve Wolf’s education proposal, and opposition is already mounting. Rep.
Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Twp., noted the Legislature last year “kept our
commitment to funding education without raising taxes” in the middle of the
COVID-19 pandemic. “We plan on keeping that commitment again this year,” she
said in a released statement. “There is no reason why, now, as a vaccine is
being deployed, we should be looking to raise taxes on middle class
Pennsylvanians and small businesses who have been crushed by the economic
devastation of COVID-19.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/wolf-wants-to-add-1-3b-in-basic-ed-funding-distribute-with-fair-formula/article_25c80a55-850e-518f-889c-8966462bb7a7.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/wolf-wants-to-add-1-3b-in-basic-ed-funding-distribute-with-fair-formula/article_25c80a55-850e-518f-889c-8966462bb7a7.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom Wolf calls
for personal income tax increase, cut for PA lower wage workers. What would
change<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Bucks County
Courier Times by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/staff/3339754001/jd-prose/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">J.D.
Prose</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Pennsylvania State Capital Bureau February
2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gov. Tom
Wolf on Tuesday outlined an education-focused budget proposal that also calls
for investments in workforce development and infrastructure, but also
includes tax cuts for low-wage households and a $3 billion increase in the
personal income tax. The announcement comes in advance of Wolf's full budget
proposal to be released Wednesday and sets up a fight with the
Republican-controlled state Legislature over his plan. “It is possible to
pursue a legislative agenda for this commonwealth that is good for families,
good for businesses and good for the economy,” Wolf, a Democrat, said in a
statement. “Most of all, I think your family’s future is important enough that
we ought to just have this argument right now instead of putting it off until
next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/02/income-tax-hike-cut-pennsylvania-wolf/4360263001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/02/income-tax-hike-cut-pennsylvania-wolf/4360263001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scranton School
District could see $33M with fair funding proposal in Wolf's budget<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 2, 2021 Updated 7 hrs ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Scranton
School District would see an additional $33 million in state funding next year
with the budget Gov. Tom Wolf will propose today. The governor wants to
allocate all $6 billion in basic education funding through the state’s fair
funding formula, which would distribute money in a more equitable way across
the state, accounting for student enrollment and needs and the ability for a
community to fund its local schools. The state would support the plan for the
2021-22 budget with an increase in the personal income tax rate. Public school
advocates have pushed for better distribution of state funding for years,
arguing the current process leaves districts such as Scranton severely
underfunded. Putting all funding through the formula means some of the state’s
neediest districts, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre Area and Hazleton Area,
could gain the most. “If this proposal survives the budget process it will go a
long way towards solving the problems caused by inequitable state education
funding,” Scranton Superintendent Melissa McTiernan said. “The problems
include, but are not limited to, student programs, facilities and teacher
contracts. Scranton is thrilled to have a governor and local legislators that
support public education.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The funding
would not be a one-time cash infusion. The formula would provide greater
stability and predictability for school districts, leaders said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-could-see-33m-with-fair-funding-proposal-in-wolfs-budget/article_fd6337de-570b-503c-a1fb-cea0ac9c2575.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-could-see-33m-with-fair-funding-proposal-in-wolfs-budget/article_fd6337de-570b-503c-a1fb-cea0ac9c2575.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In other news…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School district
defends use of fans to improve ventilation in Philadelphia classrooms<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 2, 2021, 6:45pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
school officials defended the use of window fans to improve air circulation in
classrooms Tuesday, but stressed the measure is just one of several being taken
to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The fans are meant to supplement the “core
preventive measures” recommended by the CDC, namely masks and social
distancing, said district chief operating officer Reginald McNeil at a briefing
for reporters. “We put all these things in place. We added an additional layer
of protection with ventilation to help further prevent the spread of COVID,” he
said. Officials’ defense of the fans comes as a growing chorus of parents and
teachers questioned the district’s installation of window fans to improve air
circulation ahead of staff returning to schools on Monday, Feb. 8. About 9,000
students from pre-kindergarten through second grade who have elected to attend
in-person school two days a week in the hybrid learning plan are scheduled back
on Feb. 22.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/2/22263312/philadelphia-defends-use-of-fans-to-improve-ventilation"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/2/22263312/philadelphia-defends-use-of-fans-to-improve-ventilation</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly Union
president: Teachers and families deserve safe ventilation if they’re going to
school during a pandemic | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Right now,
there are two key areas that the district and city need to address in advance
of reentry into school buildings: ventilation and vaccines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by Jerry
T. Jordan, For The Inquirer Published Feb 2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Educators
and students should be working and learning in school buildings because we know
it’s where the true magic of education happens. And the health and safety of
educators and students are every bit as important as the classes that take
place. As things stand, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers cannot
definitely say that buildings are safe to reopen. In addition to evaluating
ongoing critical issues like infection rates, and availability of ventilation
and PPE, we must also contend with new obstacles such as the emergence of new,
more virulent strains of the virus. Since late October, Philadelphia has been
far beyond </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">“substantial,”</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.phila.gov/programs/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">risk
of community transmission remains high</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Before we can reopen our school buildings,
we need to take every precaution to ensure that all safeguards are in place. Students
in Philadelphia have historically navigated education cuts and conditions that
would never be tolerated in a wealthier, whiter school district. In a school
system that educates primarily children of color experiencing poverty, it
should be lost on no one that once again, too-often marginalized students are
facing a return to potentially hazardous schools. School buildings in
Philadelphia average more than 70 years old, eclipsing the national average by
decades. Our union’s work to ensure the safety of students and staff is rooted
in our commitment to changing these deeply inequitable systems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-return-ventillation-vaccines-teachers-20210202.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-return-ventillation-vaccines-teachers-20210202.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some Philadelphia
teachers may get vaccine before return to buildings Monday, health commissioner
says<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb 2, 2021, 5:33pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some
prekindergarten to second grade teachers may be eligible for the coronavirus
vaccine before they return to their schools next week, Philadelphia’s health
commissioner said Tuesday. “We will certainly not have all of those teachers
vaccinated by then, but I don’t think reopening the schools should depend on
that,” the commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, said. “We are going to see how soon
we can get teachers started. So it’s quite possible we could have some to start
by then.” The school district confirmed to Chalkbeat that it would advocate for
early-grade teachers to get vaccine priority. Prekindergarten to second grade
teachers are slated to return to school buildings on Monday. Students in those
grades whose families opted for in-person learning are slated to return to school
buildings as of Feb. 22.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/2/22263102/some-philadelphia-teachers-may-get-vaccine-before-return-to-buildings-monday-health-commissioner"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/2/22263102/some-philadelphia-teachers-may-get-vaccine-before-return-to-buildings-monday-health-commissioner</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After pressure from
advocates, Comcast boosts internet speed for low-income users<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WHYY By Emily
Rizzo February 3, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As students
in Philadelphia near a full year of virtual learning, Comcast is doubling the
speed of its “Internet Essentials” program, which connects low-income families
to the web at a discounted rate. For households nationally that subscribe to
the program, internet speed will double from 25 megabits per second (mbps) to
50. Costs will remain the same at $10 a month. Comcast said the update builds
on its “longstanding commitment to advancing digital equity, closing the
digital divide, and addressing both digital literacy and the homework gap.” Since
the pandemic began, the Philadelphia-based company has established 33 spaces in
community centers across the city where students can receive free Wi-Fi for
virtual learning. It also said it has invested $40 million dollars in digital
literacy programs, with new digital equity grants announced Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/after-pressure-from-advocates-comcast-boosts-internet-speed-for-low-income-users/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/articles/after-pressure-from-advocates-comcast-boosts-internet-speed-for-low-income-users/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Black Women For A
Better Education Forms PAC To Endorse Pittsburgh School Board Candidates<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WESA NPR By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wesa.fm/people/sarah-schneider"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">SARAH SCHNEIDER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <i>•</i> 22 HOURS AGO<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A group of
Pittsburgh Public Schools parents, alumni, former employees and concerned
community members will endorse a slate of candidates for the five open school
board seats this May. Members of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/blackwomenforabetterEducation/?ref=page_internal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Black
Women For A Better Education</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> say
they want candidates who are laser-focused on ensuring Black children get the
education that they need and deserve. School board President Sylvia Wilson is
the first incumbent to announce she will run again to represent </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pghschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1310"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">district
1</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> which covers East End neighborhoods
including Homewood, East Hills and Larimer. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pghschools.org/domain/19"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Districts 3, 5, 7 and 9</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> are currently represented by Sala Udin,
Terry Kennedy, Cindy Falls and Veronica Edwards, respectively. Black Women For
A Better Education announced last week that it has formed a Political Action
Committee to endorse candidates for those five districts. Financial
contributors will vote on endorsements. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wesa.fm/post/black-women-better-education-forms-pac-endorse-pittsburgh-school-board-candidates"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.wesa.fm/post/black-women-better-education-forms-pac-endorse-pittsburgh-school-board-candidates</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nazareth teachers
union threatens online learning only if school board won’t bargain<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-mc-bio-michelle-merlin-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">MICHELLE
MERLIN</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | FEB 02, 2021 AT 7:02
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Nazareth
Area teachers union is telling the school district that members will only teach
via remote instruction unless the district agrees to bargain an agreement with
them. In a blistering letter sent Jan. 29, Paul Blunt, an attorney hired by the
Nazareth Area Education Association, alleged the district ignored state and
federal safety recommendations without bargaining a decision or its impact on
workplace safety. He wrote that a failure to initiate bargaining and
implementing a decision constituted an unfair labor practice and entitled the
Nazareth Area Education Association to declare a lockout. He wrote that members
would instead only offer remote instruction in seven days unless the district
bargains a change. It wasn’t clear what decision prompted the letter. Blunt
declined to comment and other representatives for the teachers union could not
be reached for comment. Superintendent Dennis Riker said in an email the letter
was filled with numerous inaccuracies and the matter was referred to district
counsel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/local/nazareth/mc-nws-nazareth-teachers-union-covid-20210203-ucxfx2y4lnh77j4fh7qnxbpfti-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.mcall.com/news/local/nazareth/mc-nws-nazareth-teachers-union-covid-20210203-ucxfx2y4lnh77j4fh7qnxbpfti-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: Mr. Banks has served for
many years as Executive Director of the REACH Foundation, a major player in
advocating for diverting millions of tax dollars to unaccountable private and
religious schools via the EITC/OSTC programs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Former City
Councilman Otto Banks reenters Harrisburg politics, announces bid for mayor<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/chthomps/posts.html" title="Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Charles Thompson |
cthompson@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Feb
02, 2021; Posted Feb 02, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The lively
field for the Democratic Party’s nomination for mayor of Harrisburg grew by one
more candidate Tuesday, with the entry of Otto V. Banks, a 50-year-old native
son of the city who presented himself as an experienced and accomplished public
servant, ready and eager to lead the place that gave him his start. Banks joins
a field that now includes David Schankweiler, founder and former CEO and owner
of Journal Multimedia, which is perhaps best-known locally for its Central Penn
Business Journal, and Lewis Butts Jr., a former state employee and community
activist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/former-city-councilman-otto-banks-reenters-harrisburg-politics-announces-bid-for-mayor.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/former-city-councilman-otto-banks-reenters-harrisburg-politics-announces-bid-for-mayor.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="4428832766244592460"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">$50K Grant Has PHS Culinary Students Cooking<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Digital
Notebook Blog by Evan Brandt Tuesday, February 2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><u><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Blogger's
Note:</span></u></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <i>The
following was provided by the Pottstown School District.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks to
Pottstown High School Director Of Career Technical Education, Dave Livengood
the culinary arts students have a brand new line of equipment to help them
develop the skills they will need to enter the workplace. Livengood was
able to partner with equipment supplier Vulcan and 4 Star Reps to secure a
$50,000 grant which along with matching funds were used to replace old outdated
equipment in the kitchen that serves as a working classroom. Teacher and
Chef Steve Irick, a PHS graduate of the program himself, pointed out the
20-plys-year-old-year old equipment for both group instruction and multiple
catering events a month had seen better days. "I am pretty sure most
of this equipment was here when I was a student in the program," Livengood
said. "With the help of 4 Star and Vulcan, we now have a state-of-art
kitchen that will greatly improve the students' learning experience."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2021/02/50k-grant-has-phs-culinary-students.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2021/02/50k-grant-has-phs-culinary-students.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Six Things to Watch
for at Miguel Cardona’s Confirmation Hearing for Education Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/evie-blad"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Evie Blad</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 01, 2021 7 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Miguel
Cardona faces the Senate’s education committee Wednesday as it considers his
confirmation to become U.S. secretary of education, with members sure to ask
about a host of education issues front and center in the national policy
debate. After President </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-moving-to-nominate-connecticut-schools-chief-miguel-cardona-for-education-secretary/2020/12"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Joe
Biden named Cardona</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, who is currently Connecticut’s education
commissioner, as his pick, education organizations across the ideological
spectrum </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/who-is-miguel-cardona-education-secretary-pick-has-roots-in-classroom-principals-office/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">praised
the choice</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. But that doesn’t mean Cardona won’t have to
confront some tough questions. The nation’s schools are in crisis as they
continue to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. And arguments over issues
like school choice, students’ rights, and how to teach American history
continue to punctuate the larger K-12 education discussion. Here are six areas
of questioning he is likely to face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/six-things-to-watch-for-at-miguel-cardonas-confirmation-hearing-for-education-secretary/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/six-things-to-watch-for-at-miguel-cardonas-confirmation-hearing-for-education-secretary/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Teaching While Black:
An Open Letter to School Leaders<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ASCD
Educational Leadership by Sharif El-Mekki December 2020/January 2021 |
Volume <b>78</b> | Number <b>4</b><br />
<b>To better support Black educators, schools need a better understanding of
their realities.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Dear
administrators, principals, teachers, and others who care about equity:</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you want
all children to receive the best education possible, try to understand what it
means to be a Black educator in a typical urban public school district, in a
pandemic, in the wake of nationwide racial uprisings. As research has confirmed
the benefits of teacher diversity, many district and school leaders have
increased efforts to recruit Black educators, while paying scant attention to
their retainment and demonstrating outright indifference to what it takes to
nurture their curiosity, mastery, and purpose. Leaders need to be mindful of
what Black educators need, not just to maintain their mental health and
well-being, but to become the high-caliber teacher-activists our students need
them to be. Take this to heart: The best recruitment strategy is also a strong
retention strategy. I'm a veteran Black educator, a former teacher and principal
of two urban schools. Here's how I see the realities Black educators face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec20/vol78/num04/Teaching-While-Black@-An-Open-Letter-to-School-Leaders.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec20/vol78/num04/Teaching-While-Black@-An-Open-Letter-to-School-Leaders.aspx</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“track record of online charter schools
has been uniformly negative for every demographic subgroup of students”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Report: California
‘wasting’ millions of dollars funding online charter schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Washington Post
By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/valerie-strauss/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Valerie
Strauss</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb. 2, 2021 at 11:04 a.m. EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A new report
on California’s online charter schools says that the state is “wasting hundreds
of millions of dollars a year by funding these schools at a level far above
their costs.” The report, published Tuesday by a California-based nonprofit
research and policy organization called In the Public Interest, also says that
the “track record of online charter schools has been uniformly negative for
every demographic subgroup of students” despite the promise of online
education. “In a time when school districts everywhere face the heartbreak of
knowing they cannot provide all the services their students need and deserve,
it is critical that lawmakers act as conservative stewards of the state’s tax
collars by focusing funding on the schools where it can do the greatest good
for the greatest number of the state’s students,” the report says. Charter
schools are publicly funded but privately operated. About 10 percent of public
school students in California attend charter schools — both brick-and-mortar
and online. According to the report, nearly 175,000 California students in
2018-19 were enrolled in online charter schools, representing 27 percent of all
charter school students in the state. The charter sector in California — which
has more charter schools and more charter students than any other state — has
long been troubled. Though charter schools are designed to operate outside the
rules of school district bureaucracies, the state allowed them to expand for
years with very little oversight despite continuing controversy over financial
scandals and other problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/02/report-california-wasting-millions-online-charters/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/02/report-california-wasting-millions-online-charters/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA State Board of
Education Student Representative Application Now Available<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 22,
2008 the Pennsylvania State Board of Education (SBE) amended their bylaws to
add one nonvoting senior student member and one nonvoting junior student
member. Since September 2009 two high school students have served on the SBE.
For the past year those students have been senior Anne Griffith from Radnor
High School and Junior Eva Rankin from Upper St. Clair High School. These SBE
positions have provided public school students with an unprecedented
opportunity in Pennsylvania to interact with the 22 adult board members and
have helped shape long-term education policy for the 1.8 million K-12 students
in our state and the 680,000 students impacted by our state system of higher
education. The Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) was first
charged with the responsibility of recommending two students to hold these
positions for the 2008-2009 school year. PASC is currently accepting
applications for our new junior student representative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Current 10<sup>th</sup> grade
students (Class of 2023) enrolled in public high schools in Pennsylvania are
eligible to apply for this position. </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The introductory letter, commitment forms and
application can be found </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pasc.net_government-2Drelations&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=2trgnPp0q6Mi0laod-0s-mpSaCAkFIvubmMHZUvKeKM&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Applications are due back on March 8th,
2021. Interviews will be conducted virtually. One student will be selected for
a two-year term at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">More
information can be found at: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw_edit-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=C3gK_gU30-vMijcLIPStZbiQxtcq_C0-FNHCo2uFesg&m=b6M1GAIxcfIPJokWVRxkdjkA_AoqzEqKCKJyqxSOp80&s=phjEuelrgAKFrp7umF3QMnoWSlZPU8eOmkCf4573U9s&e=" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZdrMuzBfYw009nbeUC3JGqxwCipCpsnx1ZlCGPipTw/edit?usp=sharing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> . Questions may be directed to the two
current student representatives at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2021@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2021@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:sbe2022@pasc.net"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">sbe2022@pasc.net</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action Conference
In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/ COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join PFPS and NPE for
“Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher Bills and
Tools to Oppose Them” Webinar Feb. 4<sup>th</sup> 4 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Author: PFPS
Posted: Jan 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public Funds
Public Schools resumes our engaging and well attended webinar series begun in
2020 with the first installment of 2021. Join PFPS and the Network for Public
Education on Thursday, February 4, at 4 p.m. EST for an important and topical
webinar, “Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher
Bills and Tools to Oppose Them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Panelists
will discuss the significant private school voucher bills that have already
been introduced in State Legislatures around the country, additional legislative
action to watch for during 2021 legislative sessions, and tools and resources
made available to advocates by PFPS and others. The webinar will feature
representatives from the SPLC Action Fund and Education Law Center, which
support the PFPS campaign, and from the National Coalition for Public
Education, as well as Carol Burris, Executive Director of the Network for
Public Education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Use
this </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/PFPSwebinar" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">link</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to register for</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Fighting Voucher Legislation: An Update
on State Voucher Bills and Tools to Oppose Them <i>on February 4 at 4 p.m.
EST.</i></span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION CONVERSATION:
An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and Guardrails”
Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will likely
be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions. What
if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its attention on
student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students? Could that improve
the student experience? Would that deliver educational equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia Board of
Education began consulting with education leaders across the country to explore
this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and Guardrails.
The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee Huang, as both
“obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite called it a “game
changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might mean for Philadelphia’s
schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Resolution
for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-2396114697264386372021-02-02T08:38:00.000-05:002021-02-02T08:38:33.535-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 2, 2021: This budget season, lawmakers have to put underserved students first | Opinion<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This budget season,
lawmakers have to put underserved students first | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The groundhog in my backyard decided to sleep in this morning. Hope that
doesn’t bode 20 more years without charter funding reform in PA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PSBA Charter Change Website: </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Snow delays Pa.
governor’s budget address a day<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/nolaap/posts.html" title="The Associated Press"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Associated Press</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated 9:06 PM; February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG —
Gov. Tom Wolf will move his annual budget address to Wednesday, amid a
snowstorm that was prompting restrictions on highways across Pennsylvania and
the cancelation of legislative hearings and sessions, his office said. The
release of Wolf’s budget proposal and his address had been scheduled for
Tuesday. Pennsylvania governors typically deliver their messages about state
spending plans and priorities on the Tuesday in the first full week of
February. In 2005, then-Gov. Ed Rendell asked House and Senate leaders to push
back his speech a day to so it would not conflict with him and others returning
from the Philadelphia Eagles’ appearance in the Super Bowl or a potential
Eagles victory parade. Legislative leaders agreed to the request, but the
Eagles lost that year. In any case, the setting for Wolf’s seventh budget
address will be unusual because of the pandemic. Wolf will deliver the address
— usually 30 or 40 minutes long — by a pre-recorded video instead of speaking
in-person to a joint session of the House and Senate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2021/02/snow-delays-pa-governors-budget-address-a-day.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2021/02/snow-delays-pa-governors-budget-address-a-day.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This budget season,
lawmakers have to put underserved students first | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star Commentary By Nelly Jimenez, Deborah Gordon Klehr, Susan Spicka, Patty
Torres, Laura Boyce, and Jennifer R. Clarke, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 2, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nelly
Jimenez, is the executive director and CEO of ACLAMO. Deborah Gordon Klehr is
the executive director of the Education Law Center-PA. Susan Spicka
is the executive director of Education Voters of Pa. Patty Torres is the
organizing director for Make the Road Pennsylvania. Laura Boyce is the
Pennsylvania executive director for Teach Plus. Jennifer R. Clarke is the
executive director of the Public Interest Law Center.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Longstanding,
devastating inequities in Pennsylvania’s education funding system guarantee
that our state continues to mistreat hundreds of thousands of its historically
underserved students, including many students of color, students living in
poverty, students with disabilities, English learners, and others. The problem:
These students attend schools that lack the basic resources to meet their
needs. In the 2021-2022 budget, the Legislature must finally take steps toward
providing additional funding to schools that have the fewest resources
available to meet their students’ needs. It must commit to fully closing the
resource and opportunity gaps that threaten the Commonwealth’s future
workforce, tax base, and economy. It is unacceptable to continue ignoring the
substantial harm that Pennsylvania’s current funding system inflicts on
students and communities throughout the commonwealth. It is no secret that
Pennsylvania has one of the most inequitable school funding systems in the
nation, and that students of color disproportionately experience the
consequences of that neglect. A 2019 study from Research for Action, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://8rri53pm0cs22jk3vvqna1ub-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CRDC-Penn-122019.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Unequal
Access to Educational Opportunity Among Pennsylvania’s High School Students,”</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> found that the size and pervasiveness
of race and income disparities in educational access in Pennsylvania are among
the most severe in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-budget-season-lawmakers-have-to-put-underserved-students-first-opinion/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-budget-season-lawmakers-have-to-put-underserved-students-first-opinion/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA School Funding
Case Trial Coming Soon – But Legislators Can Act Now!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63140299"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education Law Center Email February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63140299;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Our historic
school funding lawsuit against Pennsylvania officials will go to trial in
Commonwealth Court this year. While we await the issuing of a scheduling order
by the judge in the case, we continue to work with our partners and our
co-counsel at the Public Interest Law Center to build awareness and support for
the case through </span></span></span></span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Uq0F2dJu5w9L4iTyFlXs7pS-4eyORZipElojsQJ4I_0t0Qqy8znN3EYshRKVlORwckdyL9NuBJSv4HfElikGQtdSur-7cuEVyH_nFiKZOTn3SzOis-Uh5713VnHC_XT-CoNyMHuBouUMxKY_ie4b7obZuIQdYAgG&c=0mS6W5F_jkJx1FQ2f3nTQVBvVpxcanhla3zdxN0p4jpzoAE86-bs4A==&ch=67BTpefLiY5M-TpmGwy3DOZXqdVTPFPMa9fbBwKCr8N1h_bUNuobCQ==" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">webinars</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, social media, and other activities. It is a
good time to remind our legislators that they do not need to wait for a verdict
to take action on addressing the grossly inadequate and inequitable funding
system that Pennsylvania still uses. <b><i>Sign up here both to get regular
updates on the case and to volunteer to help </i></b></span></span></span></span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Uq0F2dJu5w9L4iTyFlXs7pS-4eyORZipElojsQJ4I_0t0Qqy8znN3GdlmXxuXm7fCoaxVZzyr64GYRhRHh4Bgcg6vLcy5XbLfIjSFptAO5FuHUj0752ethZlNP9Simezv58NSOR5Cw2M3YxP1P02ixc3Ta2SyHKKjm3BwdrwjP8=&c=0mS6W5F_jkJx1FQ2f3nTQVBvVpxcanhla3zdxN0p4jpzoAE86-bs4A==&ch=67BTpefLiY5M-TpmGwy3DOZXqdVTPFPMa9fbBwKCr8N1h_bUNuobCQ==" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">spread the word</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">“<a name="_Hlk63140331">To learn more about this litigation and how to support the
students of Chester Upland, join us for a Zoom meeting on </a></span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Uq0F2dJu5w9L4iTyFlXs7pS-4eyORZipElojsQJ4I_0t0Qqy8znN3GdlmXxuXm7fq0mRt-oTvCyONAfZOuBqw7b7Sz5g4TaAYKM9yiD9H3eNqS9XGFqjxAwfeKT0IgCsQKjo_Pa1CHZOEALr2hXjuUaCj7TBdH5UJmTAtXiMpq2T4J9UN9MCvuqCNXl4WJqDRJGdwHR4uC12MkzydPrH4g==&c=0mS6W5F_jkJx1FQ2f3nTQVBvVpxcanhla3zdxN0p4jpzoAE86-bs4A==&ch=67BTpefLiY5M-TpmGwy3DOZXqdVTPFPMa9fbBwKCr8N1h_bUNuobCQ==" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63140331;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">February 4 at 7 p.m.,
Chester Upland Rising: Where Do We Go From Here?</span></i></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63140331;"></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63140331;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> “<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Center Students Over
Profits in Chester Upland<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education
Law Center Email February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">As the
Chester Upland School District faces the potential outsourcing of some or all
of its schools, ELC, along with Public Interest Law Center, continues to
advocate on behalf of Chester parents, students, and the disability rights
group Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization. We aim to ensure
that the quality of education provided to students is centered, parent input
and transparency are prioritized, and the needs of students with disabilities
are addressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The court-appointed
receiver for the district is now implementing a court-authorized request for
proposals (RFP) process that could lead to charter conversion or private
management of some or all district schools by this fall. In response to
our </span></span></span></span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Uq0F2dJu5w9L4iTyFlXs7pS-4eyORZipElojsQJ4I_0t0Qqy8znN3GdlmXxuXm7fmDzmd9PNn3QUTGJKItOGHCpoubL0UMgPRZV1_iziygm7UsbBTn7p1DxUJ-esr_IleqqOeSu0XAOpBj-0D-bkBJjfOjkOf5OtndZZmWUziLvhKvSD0Z59Q5kO4OBdZUtbe88OIhXzd84HlXOjPU8Tn1pbQ5oD3mZ_s0bBzy6vb5NM67hOYGwcI15VhqFZ-8iZi9zvANI_Kz0=&c=0mS6W5F_jkJx1FQ2f3nTQVBvVpxcanhla3zdxN0p4jpzoAE86-bs4A==&ch=67BTpefLiY5M-TpmGwy3DOZXqdVTPFPMa9fbBwKCr8N1h_bUNuobCQ==" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">emergency motion to suspend the RFP process</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas
held a Jan. 11 hearing to consider our challenge that the RFP failed to ensure
that charter operators demonstrate superior academic outcomes to the district’s
and that all bidders establish their ability to improve educational outcomes
and meet the needs of all students. On Jan. 14, </span></span></span></span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Uq0F2dJu5w9L4iTyFlXs7pS-4eyORZipElojsQJ4I_0t0Qqy8znN3GdlmXxuXm7fhNune7GEi_EkmNPVQQ-u2iDVP8wjGjG6938bFIHcR26bT9veikr6iQTLIZcs8S_72WCt6zJi0jPZDa40qji3Eg_QviIVlq5TqE9-bmVe1NU9qzmEEVEvJ8ss90joXaIer7nx1RGl7uJ5z8FKR-4NpA==&c=0mS6W5F_jkJx1FQ2f3nTQVBvVpxcanhla3zdxN0p4jpzoAE86-bs4A==&ch=67BTpefLiY5M-TpmGwy3DOZXqdVTPFPMa9fbBwKCr8N1h_bUNuobCQ==" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Judge Barry Dozor ordered</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> revisions to the RFP and suspended the
RFP process until the district could submit its completed 2019 financial
audits. The new deadline for RFP submissions is March 1. A task force will then
be convened to make recommendations to the receiver, and a public hearing held
where parents and stakeholders can ask questions of the selected bidders prior
to a court hearing on a final plan. <b><i>To learn more about this litigation
and how to support the students of Chester Upland, join us for a Zoom meeting
on </i></b></span></span></span></span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Uq0F2dJu5w9L4iTyFlXs7pS-4eyORZipElojsQJ4I_0t0Qqy8znN3GdlmXxuXm7fq0mRt-oTvCyONAfZOuBqw7b7Sz5g4TaAYKM9yiD9H3eNqS9XGFqjxAwfeKT0IgCsQKjo_Pa1CHZOEALr2hXjuUaCj7TBdH5UJmTAtXiMpq2T4J9UN9MCvuqCNXl4WJqDRJGdwHR4uC12MkzydPrH4g==&c=0mS6W5F_jkJx1FQ2f3nTQVBvVpxcanhla3zdxN0p4jpzoAE86-bs4A==&ch=67BTpefLiY5M-TpmGwy3DOZXqdVTPFPMa9fbBwKCr8N1h_bUNuobCQ==" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">February 4 at 7 p.m., Chester Upland Rising:
Where Do We Go From Here?</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘Why are you
silencing us?’ New Philly school board public comment policy draws ire<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“It’s a step
backwards,” said Tatyana Roldan, a senior at Central High School. “If you say
they want to hear us, why are you silencing us?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Feb 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With a
pandemic afoot and a controversial school reopening plan on the table, city
parents, teachers, and concerned citizens have plenty to say to the
Philadelphia school board. Because of changes to the school board’s public
comment policy, there are now limited slots in which to say it. “It’s a step
backward,” said Tatyana Roldan, a senior at Northeast High School. “If you say
they want to hear us, why are you silencing us?” The board recently shifted its
strategy overseeing<b> </b>the Philadelphia School District, shaking up board
meetings, and adding<b> </b>more time on scrutinizing academic achievement. It
also moved to limit the number of speakers — from no limit to 10 students and
30 members of the public — and cut from three minutes to two<b> </b>the amount
of time each can address the board. The changes, board president Joyce
Wilkerson said, aim to amplify diverse voices: Students and new speakers are
prioritized. Wilkerson has said this was in part a reaction to a meeting in
last July, when opponents of in-person school reopening packed a virtual board
session that lasted eight hours and included public comment from more than<b> </b>100
people. Nearly all of the speakers blasted Superintendent William R. Hite’s
reopening plan, which was ultimately scotched. Wilkerson said those speakers
did not reflect the sentiments of the entire community. “It turns out there was
a whole community that wanted their kids to go back,” she said. “Just relying
exclusively on those people who speak out at board meetings has not been as
effective as we need it to be to make decisions as a board.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-board-public-district-20210201.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-board-public-district-20210201.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly leaders lied
for decades about school safety. Why should teachers trust them during a
pandemic? | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The district
still lacks a robust testing strategy and has failed to provide ventilation
reports for many schools expected to return.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by Adam
Sanchez and Nina Willbach, For the Inquirer Published Feb 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Last
November, when the Philadelphia School District aimed to reopen in-person
schooling, the plan was thwarted by a surge in coronavirus cases. So now that
the district is again attempting to reopen schools, the number of cases has
declined, right? Wrong. In November, Thomas Farley, the head of the
Philadelphia Department of Public Health, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOcEq-tap_o"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">reported an average of 387
new cases per day</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, enough to cancel school reopening. But in
his most recent update, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4nnl3QsgxE"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Farley explains</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> that for the past week, we averaged 401
cases per day and 518 the previous week. While this seems to be part of a
downward trajectory, our community transmission rate reached “substantial”
according to </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/SchoolReopeningGuidance/ReopeningPreKto12/Pages/LevelofCommunityTransmissionTable.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">state guidelines the week of Oct. 18</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and has remained there ever since. The first
cases of the more </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-uk-variant-philadelphia-usa-strain-20210115.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">contagious coronavirus variants</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> are being reported near Philadelphia;
without a quicker vaccine rollout, these variants will likely cut short some of
the progress that has been made. So why is now the time to reopen in-person
schools?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-reopening-philadelphia-february-hybrid-virtual-learning-20210201.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-reopening-philadelphia-february-hybrid-virtual-learning-20210201.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PPS proposes school
closures as district seeks significant changes in footprint<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:agoldstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">agoldstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> FEB 1, 2021 6:44 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Pittsburgh Public Schools on Monday proposed significant changes to its
physical footprint, including the closure or restructuring of several schools
and possible staff reductions. The moves, some of which could come as soon as
the 2021-22 school year, would affect hundreds of students and staff members. District
administrators asked the school board to vote Tuesday on opening to the public
the discussion of closures and other changes. They said no moves would be made
until the district held conversations with teachers, parents, students and
other stakeholders. “This is only a draft plan,” said Michael McNamara, the
district’s interim chief operations officer. “We are inviting and will
purposefully engage board members, teachers, principals and community members
as we take this journey of modernizing our footprint.” The schools that would
close under the proposal are: Miller PreK-5 in the Hill District; Fulton PreK-5
in Highland Park; Woolslair PreK-5 in Lawrenceville; and Manchester PreK-8 in
Manchester. The only school slated to close for the 2021-22 school year is
Woolslair. All others would close before the 2022-23 school year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/01/pittsburgh-public-schools-district-PPS-reorganization-footprint-changes-board-closures/stories/202102010118"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/01/pittsburgh-public-schools-district-PPS-reorganization-footprint-changes-board-closures/stories/202102010118</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">'Black History is
American History': Pa. schools urged to adopt anti-racist curricula<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Bucks County
Courier Times by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/staff/4395336002/sam-ruland/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sam Ruland</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Daily Record February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout
her years in the Central York School District, Princess Gabriel never sat in a
classroom where a person of color stood at the chalkboard and lectured. It
didn’t seem that strange, for the most part, she remembers. All her neighbors
were white, all her friends were white — the lead characters in her favorite
television shows were white. As a student, she recalls reading only a handful
of books that featured nonwhite perspectives — titles such as "To Kill a
Mockingbird" or "Huckleberry Finn" come to mind. But even when
those novels featured people of color, she realized, the books were often
written by white authors who failed to portray the Black characters with depth
and thoughtfulness. "It made me realize how important representation in
the classroom is," said Gabriel, who is Black and a senior at Central York
High School. "Talking about the Black, Latino or Asian community from
a removed point of view and reading it from a white author isn’t enough. We
must include and hear other voices." The way to begin fixing it, she said,
is to move toward anti-racist curricula and away from practices that
center only on the experiences of white people. So not only are Pennsylvania
schools trying to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, but they’re also
opening during a racial reckoning across the country — one largely fueled by
the police killing of George Floyd in May, bullying of Asian-American students
amid the coronavirus and a spike in anti-immigrant rhetoric and
anti-Semitism since the 2016 election.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/02/pa-schools-challenged-adopt-anti-racist-curricula/6652936002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/02/pa-schools-challenged-adopt-anti-racist-curricula/6652936002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As virus cuts class
time, teachers have to leave out lessons<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/the-associated-press/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">ASSOCIATED
PRESS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Monday, February 1, 2021
12:40 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">English
teachers are deciding which books to skip. History teachers are condensing
units. Science teachers are often doing without experiments entirely. With
instruction time reduced as much as half by the coronavirus pandemic, many of
the nation’s middle school and high school teachers have given up on covering
all the material normally included in their classes and instead are cutting
lessons. Certain topics must be taught because they will appear on exit exams
or Advanced Placement tests. But teachers are largely on their own to make
difficult choices — what to prioritize and what to sacrifice to the pandemic. “I
have to make decisions constantly about what material I’m not going to cover
because it is impossible to get it all done,” said Leigh Foy, a chemistry and
Advanced Placement biology teacher at York Suburban High School in
Pennsylvania.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/news/as-virus-cuts-class-time-teachers-have-to-leave-out-lessons/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/news/as-virus-cuts-class-time-teachers-have-to-leave-out-lessons/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Allentown School
District superintendent Thomas Parker resigning<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-andrew-scott-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">ANDREW
SCOTT</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-jacqueline-palochko-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JACQUELINE
PALOCHKO</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | FEB 01, 2021 AT 8:25
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thomas
Parker, the Allentown School District’s fourth superintendent since 2010 and
the first African American in that position, will resign May 1, Parker said in
a letter Monday night. “After much reflection and consideration, I have
accepted a position at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, where I will work
to help strengthen the education continuum in Flint, Michigan,” Parker said in
the letter. “Ending this chapter in Allentown is not an easy decision,” he
said. “I have poured my heart into serving this community for the past four
years. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved and what we are working to
achieve in the future. This city has embraced my family, and we will be forever
grateful and supportive champions of Allentown.” Under his contract, Parker
must notify the Allentown School Board at least 90 days before resigning. The
district will not be responsible for the remaining year of his contract. Parker
was hired at $175,000 in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-superintendent-parker-resigning-20210202-y2isaqwjmvbilfmlk47ggwch34-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-superintendent-parker-resigning-20210202-y2isaqwjmvbilfmlk47ggwch34-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scranton school
directors to discuss possible return to classrooms<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With new
research and guidance that calls for the reopening of schools, Scranton school
directors will likely meet next week to discuss a possible return to
classrooms. A slower-than-expected COVID-19 vaccine distribution could mean
that Scranton schools would not reopen until sometime in April, Director Ro
Hume said during a virtual meeting Monday night. Though four Lackawanna County
districts have been able to offer vaccines to employees due to a medical
provider having extras, the amount needed in Scranton is too large, leaders
said. Educators are included in phase 1B of the state’s plan. Before the state
expanded phase 1A to include people age 65 and older and those with certain
pre-existing conditions, officials hoped to start offering vaccines to Scranton
employees this month. The district is working with Hometown Health Care of
NEPA, which might be able to start offering vaccines to employees who fit
within the 1A category soon, said Robert Gentilezza, chief compliance officer. School
directors decided last month to continue fully remote instruction, with the
hope that vaccines would be made available soon. New state guidance recommends
providing in-person instruction to elementary-age students. Several parents
asked the board Monday night to let their children return to school as soon as
possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-directors-to-discuss-possible-return-to-classrooms/article_e8aaa494-373b-51ea-8e57-ca754669b209.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-directors-to-discuss-possible-return-to-classrooms/article_e8aaa494-373b-51ea-8e57-ca754669b209.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">South Philly’s Andrew
Jackson School is being renamed after years of advocacy<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Community
members will have a chance to weigh in on the new name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Billy
Penn/WHYY by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://billypenn.com/about/michaela-winberg/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Michaela Winberg</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Yesterday, 1:50 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A public
school in South Philadelphia is set to be renamed after three years of advocacy
from parents, teachers and city residents. Andrew Jackson School at 13th and
Federal streets has received the School District’s stamp of approval to begin
the renaming process, according to an email sent to parents from principal
Kelly Espinosa and obtained by Billy Penn. The process will begin with a town hall
meeting on Feb. 25. “We have made the decision to change our school name to one
that will better reflect our school’s values and the diverse students and
families we serve,” Espinosa wrote in the email to parents. Public complaints
surfaced in 2018 about the K-8 school, named for the seventh United States
president. Jackson had no major connection to Philadelphia, owned slaves and
ordered the Trail of Tears that </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">killed
thousands of Indigenous people</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Three years ago, an online petition </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/philadelphia-school-district-superintendant-dr-william-hite-change-the-name-of-andrew-jackson-school-in-south-philadelphia"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">garnered
more than 800 signatures</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in
support of renaming the Passyunk Square school. The idea? To keep the Jackson
name, but have it rep </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.coppin.edu/fannyjacksoncoppin"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fanny Jackson Coppin</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, who was born into slavery in Washington DC
and went on to become a teacher in Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://billypenn.com/2021/02/01/philadelphia-school-renamed-andrew-jackson-passyunk-square/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://billypenn.com/2021/02/01/philadelphia-school-renamed-andrew-jackson-passyunk-square/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Missing in School
Reopening Plans: Black Families’ Trust<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Deep-seated
mistrust among Black families toward their public school districts is holding
back school reopening, even as Black children suffer inordinately from remote
learning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/eliza-shapiro"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eliza Shapiro</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nytimes.com/by/erica-l-green"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erica L. Green</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/juliana-kim"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Juliana Kim</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Feb. 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">For Farah
Despeignes, the choice of whether to send her children back to New York City
classrooms as the coronavirus pandemic raged on last fall was no choice at all.
Ms. Despeignes, a Black mother of two, watched in despair as her Bronx
neighborhood was devastated by Covid-19 last spring. She knew it would take a
long time for her to trust that the nation’s largest public school system could
protect her sons’ health — and by extension her own. “Everything that has
happened in this country just in the last year has proved that Black people
have no reason to trust the government,” including public school systems and
her sons’ school building, said Ms. Despeignes, an elected parent leader on the
local school board who has taught at several colleges. She added, “My mantra
is, if you can do it for yourself, you shouldn’t trust other people to do it
for you. Because I can’t see for myself what’s going on in that building, I’m
not going to trust somebody else to keep my children safe.” Even as more
districts reopen their buildings and President Biden joins the chorus of those
saying schools can safely resume in-person education, hundreds of thousands of
Black parents say they are not ready to send their children back. That reflects
both the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/05/us/coronavirus-latinos-african-americans-cdc-data.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">disproportionately
harsh consequences the virus has visited on nonwhite Americans</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and the profound lack of trust that
Black families have in school districts, a longstanding phenomenon exacerbated
by the pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/us/politics/school-reopening-black-families.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/us/politics/school-reopening-black-families.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How the Biden Team
Will Influence K-12 Education: The President’s Cabinet Picks<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> & </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/evie-blad"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evie Blad</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — February 01, 2021 <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The U.S.
Department of Education is the natural federal focus of the nation’s school
leaders, as well as the lobbyists, researchers, and lawmakers involved in K-12
education. Yet it’s far from the only powerful federal agency that deals with
important education issues. The Education Department’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/om/fs_po/osods/intro.html#:~:text=Section%20427%20of%20the%20General,students%2C%20teachers%2C%20and%20other%20program" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">primary mission</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for
elementary and secondary education is to ensure equal access to education and
promote excellence in the field. It investigates potential violations of civil
rights law, and reviews and monitors states’ work to hold schools accountable,
among other responsibilities. (</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-moving-to-nominate-connecticut-schools-chief-miguel-cardona-for-education-secretary/2020/12"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miguel
Cardona</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is President Joe Biden’s pick to lead
the department.) Yet from school meals and child care to guidance about
discipline, a host of agencies work either independently or in conjunction with
the Education Department to set policies and priorities for schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/how-the-biden-team-will-influence-k-12-education-the-presidents-cabinet-picks/2021/02"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/how-the-biden-team-will-influence-k-12-education-the-presidents-cabinet-picks/2021/02</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education Leaders
Introduce Bills to Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools, Save Education Jobs,
and Recover Lost Time in the Classroom<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">House
Education & Labor Committee Website 01.28.21<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WASHINGTON </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">– Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby”
Scott (VA-03) joined Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Congresswoman Jahana
Hayes (CT-05), Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), and Congressman
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (CNMI-at Large) to introduce a package of
education bills to reopen and rebuild our schools, save educators' jobs, and
help students recover lost time in the classroom. The <i>Rebuild and
Reopen America’s Schools Act</i>, introduced with Congressman Norcross,
the <i>Save Education Jobs Act</i> introduced with Congresswoman
Hayes, and the <i>Learning Recovery Act</i>, introduced with Congresswoman
Leger Fernandez and Congressman Sablan, are part of the Committee’s response to
the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, educators, and
parents. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Prior to
the pandemic, our education system was suffering from crumbling infrastructure,
understaffed schools, and widening achievement gaps. Now, after an
unprecedented disruption in students’ lives as a result of the pandemic, we are
seeing existing inequities exacerbated,”</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> said Chairman Scott</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<i> “The package of bills introduced
today reflects our commitment to helping students, educators, and parents
overcome the pandemic, reopen our schools, and finally access a quality, public
education.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://edlabor.house.gov/media/press-releases/education-leaders-introduce-bills-to-reopen-and-rebuild-americas-schools-save-education-jobs-and-recover-lost-time-in-the-classroom"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://edlabor.house.gov/media/press-releases/education-leaders-introduce-bills-to-reopen-and-rebuild-americas-schools-save-education-jobs-and-recover-lost-time-in-the-classroom</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What you need to know
about standardized testing<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Washington Post
By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/valerie-strauss/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Valerie
Strauss</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Reporter Feb. 1, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Diane
Ravitch is a former assistant secretary of education and historian. For more
than a decade, she has been a leading advocate for America’s public education
system and a critic of the modern “accountability” movement that has based
school improvement measures in large part on high-stakes standardized tests. In
her influential 2010 book, “</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0465036589?ie=UTF8&tag=thewaspos09-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=0465036589"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
Death and Life of the Great American School System</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">,” Ravitch explained why she dropped her
support for No Child Left Behind, the chief education initiative of President
George W. Bush, and for standardized test-based school “reform.” Ravitch worked
from 1991 to 1993 as assistant secretary in charge of research and improvement
in the Education Department of President George H.W. Bush, and she served as
counselor to then-Education Secretary Lamar Alexander, who had just left the
Senate where he had served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee. She
was at the White House as part of a select group when George W. Bush first
outlined No Child Left Behind (NCLB), a moment that at the time she said made
her “excited and optimistic” about the future of public education. But her
opinion changed as NCLB was implemented and she researched its effects on
teaching and learning. She found that the NCLB mandate for schools to give
high-stakes annual standardized tests in math and English language arts led to
reduced time — or outright elimination — of classes in science, social studies,
the arts and other subjects.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/01/need-to-know-about-standardized-testing/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/01/need-to-know-about-standardized-testing/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Broad Street Run
postponed again due to COVID-19<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Broad
Street Run, a Philly tradition for more than 40 years and the country’s largest
10-mile race, has once again been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/tornoe_rob1/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rob Tornoe</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Feb 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Broad
Street Run, the country’s largest 10-mile race and a Philadelphia tradition for
more than 40 years, has once again been postponed due to the coronavirus
pandemic. The run, scheduled to take place in May 2021, has been pushed back
until the fall, organizers announced Monday. No final date has been announced. “While
the future trajectory of COVID-19 is still unknown, we are hopeful that we’ll
be able to welcome you all this fall for the 2021 Broad Street Run,” organizers
said in a Facebook post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/broad-street-run-2020-date-philadelphia-postponed-coronavirus-covid-19-20210201.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/broad-street-run-2020-date-philadelphia-postponed-coronavirus-covid-19-20210201.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pat Metheny with
Charlie Haden - Cinema Paradiso<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube 2,840,464
views •Feb 12, 2010 Runtime 5:14<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEwXcgwzIYE"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEwXcgwzIYE</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">NPE/NPE Action Conference
In Philly was rescheduled to October 23/24 due to concerns w/ COVID19.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Network for
Public Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NPE will be
sending information to registrants very soon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join PFPS and NPE for
“Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher Bills and
Tools to Oppose Them” Webinar Feb. 4<sup>th</sup> 4 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Author: PFPS
Posted: Jan 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public Funds
Public Schools resumes our engaging and well attended webinar series begun in
2020 with the first installment of 2021. Join PFPS and the Network for Public
Education on Thursday, February 4, at 4 p.m. EST for an important and topical
webinar, “Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher
Bills and Tools to Oppose Them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Panelists
will discuss the significant private school voucher bills that have already
been introduced in State Legislatures around the country, additional legislative
action to watch for during 2021 legislative sessions, and tools and resources
made available to advocates by PFPS and others. The webinar will feature
representatives from the SPLC Action Fund and Education Law Center, which
support the PFPS campaign, and from the National Coalition for Public
Education, as well as Carol Burris, Executive Director of the Network for
Public Education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Use
this </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/PFPSwebinar" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">link</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to register for</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Fighting Voucher Legislation: An Update
on State Voucher Bills and Tools to Oppose Them <i>on February 4 at 4 p.m.
EST.</i></span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION
CONVERSATION: An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and
Guardrails” Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will
likely be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions.
What if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its
attention on student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students?
Could that improve the student experience? Would that deliver educational
equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia
Board of Education began consulting with education leaders across the country
to explore this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and
Guardrails. The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee
Huang, as both “obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite
called it a “game changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might
mean for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk63141344"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on
Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter
Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk63141344;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-74449277831225085082021-02-01T08:44:00.002-05:002021-02-01T08:44:51.218-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 1: The formula used to determine funding for cyber/charter schools is designed for brick and mortar schools<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for Feb. 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The formula used to
determine funding for cyber/charter schools is designed for brick and mortar
schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day March 22 via Zoom<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/PSBA"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@PSBA</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/pasa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@PASA</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> public school leaders are invited to join us
for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom.
Registration on </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/rc4RMqxP31?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://myPSBA.org</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Merlyn Clarke is a friend of this blog
and a long time Stroudsburg Area School District Board of Education member.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Your View: Bill would
extend the evils of gerrymandering to Pennsylvania courts<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By MERLYN
CLARKE THE MORNING CALL | JAN 29, 2021 AT 7:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">One of the
thorniest issues dividing Americans since the foundation of the republic is the
question of how representation should work. The anti-federalists, who opposed
the adoption of the Constitution, argued that the people’s representatives
should mirror those they represented. Representatives should have the same
beliefs, occupational backgrounds, ideally share the same religion and
certainly hail from the same community. In short, they believed their
representatives should “look like us.” The Federalists, who supported the
adoption of the Constitution, argued otherwise. Of primary concern to them were
the evils of faction and the “</span></span></span></span><a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/federalist-no-10" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">tyranny of majorities.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">” They feared powerful factions, especially
majority factions, would seize power and oppress minorities.They understood the
near impossibility of selecting representatives who were truly reflective of an
entire constituency, with the result that minorities would find themselves
essentially unrepresented in the face of a dominant, largely homogeneous
majority. The remedy to these dangers was best articulated by James Madison in
his famous Federalist Number 10, in which he laid out the advantages of what he
called the “large republic,” which would provide protections against the evils
of factions. By creating legislative districts that were geographically large
and diverse, representatives would not become the captives of a single dominant
majority. Instead they would have to appeal to a geographically diverse public
and serve as brokers who would need to find common ground among many groups and
interests in order to secure a majority of votes — a majority that was
numerical, but not based on a dominant, common interest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-gerrymandering-pennsylvania-courts-clarke-20210129-rwd2s5zj3vadzor34pdssceiiq-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-gerrymandering-pennsylvania-courts-clarke-20210129-rwd2s5zj3vadzor34pdssceiiq-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION: Amid the pandemic, public
schools did not get a funding increase from the state this year. The state's
school construction subsidy program is dormant, as are efforts to fix a charter
school-funding scheme that public schools view as vastly unfair and debilitating
to their finances. At the same time, Pennsylvania is barely using a funding
formula it designed to iron out inequities in how it funds the poorest public
schools. School districts have, however, received billions in federal pandemic
aid, but school boards will want to see Wolf propose a funding increase for
them. “I'm really hoping that the governor has a robust proposal for public
education next Tuesday, because the school children deserve it and we have to
figure out how to get them the help they deserve,” Hughes said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What to watch for in
Pennsylvania governor's budget proposal<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Martinsville
Bulletin By MARC LEVY Associated Press January 30, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG,
Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf has weathered knock-down, drag-out budget fights with
lawmakers, massive and unforeseen cash deficits and, now in his next-to-last
year, perhaps the heaviest dose of financial stress and unpredictability he's
seen. On Tuesday, the Democrat will deliver his seventh budget proposal to
Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Legislature, facing a pandemic that has
helped spawn a projected multibillion-dollar state operating deficit and other
liabilities, including fast-expanding Medicaid rolls, new debts and a cash
crunch that let other problems fester. Still, nobody in Harrisburg is talking
about tax increases or spending cuts to balance the budget. Rather, Wolf is
hoping that more federal pandemic aid will rescue the state's finances until
the economy recovers. “I think we should have a strong bounce-back, and that
would make moving forward really good, but we have some one-time challenges in
this budget and a lot of it is riding on what the federal government
does," Wolf told a Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce audience this
month. Underscoring the unpredictability of the situation, Wolf told reporters
Thursday, “We’re all flying in an area of unknowns.” The budget for the fiscal
year beginning July 1 is being launched into the state Capitol's highly
political blame game over the government's coronavirus response.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/what-to-watch-for-in-pennsylvania-governors-budget-proposal/article_e6977659-cec2-5697-82b3-0ecb51f37479.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/what-to-watch-for-in-pennsylvania-governors-budget-proposal/article_e6977659-cec2-5697-82b3-0ecb51f37479.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“If they’re doing it online…I can do it
online a whole lot cheaper. They’re still getting money as if they were turning
on lights and building a building and heating the building and putting carpet
in the building and whatever else you need for the building,”</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> he
said. <i>“They’re getting paid to run a building and they’re not running a
building,”</i> he added. Ulmer indicated that he had shared the
information with local legislators and that they were <i>“shocked.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cyber, charter
schooling may cost JSASD $3.2M this year<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lock Haven
Express by PAT CROSSLEY SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS JAN 29, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JERSEY SHORE
— If the number of students from the Jersey Shore Area School District
attending cyber/charter schools holds at about 200 for the rest of the school
year, the district will spend $3.2 million for their education, according to
figures compiled by Dr. Brian Ulmer, superintendent. Ulmer’s data showed that
figure compares to the $628,000 that will be spent to educate approximately the
same amount of students in the district’s cyber program, JSOL. Ulmer shared the
information with the district’s school board at their meeting Monday night. The
cost of educating a student in either special or regular education in the
district’s program is $3,000 per student per year, while the cost for educating
a special education student in the cyber/charter school setting is $25,849 per
year and in regular education the cost is $12,266 per student per year. Ulmer
pointed out that the formula used to determine funding for cyber/charter
schools is designed for brick and mortar schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lockhaven.com/news/community/2021/01/cyber-charter-schooling-may-cost-jsasd-3-2m-this-year/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.lockhaven.com/news/community/2021/01/cyber-charter-schooling-may-cost-jsasd-3-2m-this-year/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Report says
Pennsylvania’s ‘hold harmless’ school funding system is actually harmful to some
districts<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.radio.com/kywnewsradio/authors/mike-de-nardo"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mike
DeNardo</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> KYW Newsradio January 30, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PHILADELPHIA
(KYW Newsradio)</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — A
new report by nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizens for Children and Youth
says growing school districts are being shortchanged by the way in which
Pennsylvania funds education. The issue is a system known as </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pccy.org/report/holdharmless/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“hold
harmless,”</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> which is Pennsylvania’s practice of
giving school districts <i>at least</i> as much funding as they got
the year before. The PCCY report says the policy effectively gives shrinking
districts more per-pupil funding than districts where enrollment is growing. According
to the report, shrinking districts have lost a total of 167,000 students —
one-fifth of their student body — since 1991-92. PCCY Executive Director Donna
Cooper said in the last 29 years under hold harmless, districts with dropping
enrollment have been paid $590 million for students they no longer educate. Meanwhile,
growing districts have 204,000 more students now than in 1991-92, but they have
largely been denied additional funding to compensate for that increase.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.radio.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/report-pa-s-school-funding-system-hinders-some-districts"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.radio.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/report-pa-s-school-funding-system-hinders-some-districts</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cancel the PSSAs and
Keystones in 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania
USA Today Network Editorial Board<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York Daily
Record February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was March
19 when the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that it was
cancelling all Spring 2020 PSSA tests and Keystone exams due to COVID-19. That
means there's still plenty of time for the department to do likewise for 2021.
We believe it should. For the state, that means requesting and obtaining
federal waivers of testing and accountability requirements for the 2020-2021
school year. We believe it is both illogical and inappropriate to push
standardized tests under circumstances that are anything but standard as
COVID-19 has many Pennsylvania school districts ping-ponging back and forth
between virtual, in-person and hybrid education models to adjust
to shifting infection rates and public opinions. The Pennsylvania
System of School Assessments measure elementary and middle school student
performance with an eye toward assessing whether the schools are meeting
academic standards in language arts, math, science and technology. The
Keystones are state-mandated end-of-course tests given to middle school
and high school students that require them to show proficiency in core subjects
in order to graduate. The Keystones are also a key component of a school's
Act 82 Building Level Score, which gauges the effectiveness of principals and
teachers on a building-by-building basis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2021/02/01/editorial-cancel-pssa-and-keystone-assessments-2021/4297025001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2021/02/01/editorial-cancel-pssa-and-keystone-assessments-2021/4297025001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia board
promises change after report on low achievement, racial disparities<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 29, 2021, 2:47pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A </span></span></span></span><a href="https://philasd.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=3616&MeetingID=183"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">report</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> presented Thursday to the Philadelphia
Board of Education showed that just 32% of third graders read on grade level,
with stark gaps among racial groups and particularly low scores for English
language learners and students with disabilities. The report classified 63
elementary schools as “off-track,” 64 as “near-track” and 21 as “on-track,”
categories based on their progress toward meeting five-year goals in reading,
math, and college readiness. The benchmarks for the report were gleaned through
the district’s internal reading assessment, AIMSweb. Those considered on-track
are likely to reach the goal of having 62% of students proficient by 2026. In a
stark example of inequity within the district, the board’s data show that
schools considered on track enroll fewer than 5,000 students and are
disproportionately white, while the near-track and off-track schools enroll
more than 31,000 students in the grades studied, kindergarten to third grade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/29/22256660/philadelphia-board-gets-report-on-low-achievement-racial-disparities-promises-change"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/29/22256660/philadelphia-board-gets-report-on-low-achievement-racial-disparities-promises-change</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As schools seek to
reopen, here’s what local data say about in-person classes and COVID-19<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As schools
seek to reopen, administrators are cautiously optimistic that they can keep
students in classrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/laughlin_jason/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jason Laughlin</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 31, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Monday,
the Cheltenham School District will reopen classrooms for the first time since
emptying them almost a year ago as COVID-19 hit the area. Though coronavirus
cases are higher now than in the fall, Superintendent Wagner Marseille feels
prepared. The district has consulted health experts, installed air purifiers in
its oldest buildings, and watched as other communities have ushered students
back into schools. “It was fear of the unknown,” Marseille said of starting the
school year online. But many schools have been in person since the fall, “and
they have found ways to make it work.” As has become commonplace during the
pandemic, uncertainty abounds. Marseille was unsure enough teachers would
return to work Monday to staff in-person classes, something he warned parents
was a possibility as late as Friday night. And after months of students staying
home, predictions of significant snowfall could make their first day back a
snow day. But more in-person schooling is coming. Marseille is among the
educators buoyed by federal health officials who say </span></span></span></span><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775875?guestAccessKey=9961f22d-99e6-4861-8fa6-cf0b3463ef92&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=012621" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">data from several states and Europe</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> indicate “little evidence that schools have
contributed meaningfully to increased community transmission.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/school-philadelphia-cheltenham-covid-reopen-pennsylvania-wissahickon-safety-20210131.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/school-philadelphia-cheltenham-covid-reopen-pennsylvania-wissahickon-safety-20210131.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Will Philly’s third
attempt at school reopening stick? Teachers are wary and parents are split.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If any
teacher chooses not to go back over safety concerns, “we support them in making
that decision," a member of the teacher's union's Caucus of Working
Educators said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Jan 30, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">After
COVID-19 abruptly ended 120,000 Philadelphia students’ in-person education in
March, children were set to return to classrooms in September until community
pushback scuttled that attempt. The next plan had some young people returning
in November. But a surge in coronavirus cases kept doors closed. Superintendent
William R. Hite Jr. announced Wednesday the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-covid-teacher-vaccines-20210127.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">district was trying again</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">: Prekindergarten through second-grade
students can return to classes two days a week beginning Feb. 22, with staff
who work with those children due back Feb. 8. Will this return plan stick? It’s
not clear; the teachers’ union hasn’t signed off, though Mayor Jim Kenney, City
Council, and the school board have emphasized their desire to have children
back in school as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-20210130.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-20210130.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As 2,000 NEPA
educators receive COVID-19 vaccine, others wait for their turn<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Times
Tribune BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL AND KATHLEEN BOLUS STAFF WRITERS Jan 31, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School
personnel in at least 13 of the 22 school districts in Lackawanna, Pike,
Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties have received at least the first dose
of the COVID-19 vaccine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
superintendent of the Riverside School District reaches out to health care
providers daily, desperately seeking COVID-19 vaccinations to keep employees
safe and in the classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As he sees
nearly 2,000 educators in Northeast Pennsylvania get the opportunity, he
wonders when Riverside’s staff will receive the same. “Our teachers are in the
trenches. We are fighting for their health and safety,” Superintendent Paul
Brennan said. “And we’re also fighting for our society. The work we do helps
make society run.” But in Northeast Pennsylvania, vaccine distributions to
school districts are often based on local connections, and not a statewide
plan. Superintendents are left to reach out to hospitals, pharmacies and other
medical facilities daily, hoping to secure enough doses for employees. For some
districts, such as Scranton, a vaccinated staff will mean the district is one
step closer to reopening its doors for the first time since March.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/as-2-000-nepa-educators-receive-covid-19-vaccine-others-wait-for-their-turn/article_f220d33f-1937-5f56-840c-bcba2fa22e77.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/as-2-000-nepa-educators-receive-covid-19-vaccine-others-wait-for-their-turn/article_f220d33f-1937-5f56-840c-bcba2fa22e77.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The local Black
history hidden in Philadelphia’s school names<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Philadelphia’s
school buildings are a tribute to its past. That’s true of the structures
themselves, some of which date back over a century. But it’s also a nod to the
people commemorated in the names of those school buildings. Those names — in
ways big and small — help tell the city’s history. The vast majority of public
schools in the city </span></span></span></span><a href="https://billypenn.com/2020/03/02/just-5-of-philadelphia-schools-are-named-after-women/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">are
named after white men</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. (The
school-namers of yore were partial to Union Civil War soldiers and former
school board officials.) Still, in a city that didn’t have a statue of a Black
person on public land </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-presents-long-overdue-honor-true-american-hero-octavius-catto-photos/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">until
2017</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, school buildings are among the rare public
spaces with any echo of Philadelphia’s Black history. In this handful of names
with city roots, there are stories long forgotten and glimpses of an overlooked
past. And to mark the start of Black History Month, WHYY wanted to tell some of
those stories.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/the-local-black-history-hidden-in-philadelphias-school-names/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/the-local-black-history-hidden-in-philadelphias-school-names/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wilkes-Barre Area
planning to resume in-person learning March 1<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Citizens
Voice </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wilkes-Barre
Area School District tentatively plans to resume in-person instruction March 1,
Superintendent Brian Costello announced Thursday. The district will remain in
the fully remote learning mode in February because Luzerne County continues to
have substantial COVID-19 transmission, Costello said, noting recommendations
from the state health and education departments. The state recommends all-virtual
learning or a blended model with in-person learning only for elementary school
students for schools in counties with substantial transmission. The state
guidance is not a mandate. A county has substantial transmission when the test
positivity rate is at least 10% or the COVID-19 incidence rate is at least 100
cases per 100,000 residents over seven days. Test positivity in Luzerne County
was 11.9% from Jan. 15-21, and the county incidence rate was 295.5. Wilkes-Barre
Area began the school year in September with in-person learning for students
who chose that option and suspended in-person classes when Luzerne County moved
from moderate to substantial transmission in late October. The county incidence
rate was 138.8 from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 and surged to 663 from Dec. 11-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/wilkes-barre-area-planning-to-resume-in-person-learning-march-1/article_8fb1a1f1-5cfe-5d82-9be5-39bafccf741d.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/wilkes-barre-area-planning-to-resume-in-person-learning-march-1/article_8fb1a1f1-5cfe-5d82-9be5-39bafccf741d.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Which Centre County
schools are operating remotely due to COVID-19? Here’s a running list<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Centre Daily
Times </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mparish@centredaily.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
MARLEY PARISH</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JANUARY 29, 2021 08:32 AM, UPDATED
JANUARY 29, 2021 11:19 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Since
reopening in August, Centre County school districts have been forced to make
adjustments to instructional plans as community COVID-19 cases continue to rise
and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/SchoolReopeningGuidance/ReopeningPreKto12/PublicHealthGuidance/Pages/SchoolClosureRecommentations.aspx" target="_self"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">statewide mitigation efforts</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> aim to slow virus transmission. The
Centre Daily Times is keeping a running list of school closures and planned
reopenings. Because area schools are not required to publicly announce
confirmed cases or building closures, this list may not be comprehensive but
will be updated weekly with any changes or updates to instructional plans. If a
school closure is not listed, or to provide more information, please email
cdtnewstips@centredaily.com.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.centredaily.com/news/rebuild/article247509800.html#storylink=mainstage_card"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.centredaily.com/news/rebuild/article247509800.html#storylink=mainstage_card</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly school board
silences teachers, parents, and students with new meeting structure | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This board
cannot achieve any of their stated goals unless they repair the trust and
relationships with the people in the schools: the students, families, and
teachers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by Stephanie
King, For The Inquirer Published Jan 29, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Stephanie
King is the president of Kearny Friends, the community group supporting Gen.
Philip Kearny School in Northern Liberties.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Philadelphia
schools freed themselves from the state control of the School Reform Commission
thanks to the sustained activism of numerous parents, teachers, and students
across the city. But now that we have a school board appointed by the mayor,
the current board and superintendent seem determined, at every opportunity, to
shut out the voices of those they serve. With the unveiling of their new “</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.philasd.org/schoolboard/goals-and-guardrails/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Goals
and Guardrails</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">,” the board has promised a renewed focus,
but they have repeatedly shown contempt for our voices. According to the school
board, Goals and Guardrails aims to prioritize diverse voices and to create
time for the board to spend more of its time scrutinizing the administration on
academic performance. This board cannot achieve any of their stated goals
unless they repair the trust and relationships with the people in the schools:
the students, families, and teachers. Instead, the board has responded to
increased education activism by introducing a raft of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.philasd.org/schoolboard/wp-content/uploads/sites/892/2021/01/005-Admin-Procedures-2021.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">new
policies</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> designed to silence the participation of
their main constituents. Changes include limiting the number of speakers at
each board meeting to 10 students and 30 members of the general public and
restricting each speaker to two minutes. The board has replaced committee
meetings — which were the only chance for the public to comment on initiatives
before they come to a vote at action meetings — with written comments that are
little more than a suggestion box.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-school-board-goals-and-guardrails-parents-meetings-20210129.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-school-board-goals-and-guardrails-parents-meetings-20210129.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Area school officials
planning to spend COVID-19 relief funding<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wilkes Barre
Citizens Voice </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Area school
officials are busy planning applications for the latest federal allocation of
COVID-19 relief money. School districts in Luzerne County and the Bear Creek
Community Charter School will receive a total of $61.7 million, according to a
preliminary estimate from the state Department of Education. The funding is
from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund passed by Congress in
December. Pennsylvania’s allocation is $2.2 billion. Allocations will be about
four times what schools received in the first round of relief funding last
spring. Districts must submit applications to receive their allotments. Lake-Lehman
School District’s allotment of nearly $1.1 million “necessitates time and
collaboration prior to making a spending plan,” Superintendent James McGovern
said. Funds may be applied to costs dating back to the onset of the national
emergency on March 13, 2020, and can cover spending obligations through Sept.
30, 2023. “We are carefully analyzing our needs,” Wyoming Area Superintendent
Janet Serino said. Districts and charter schools can use the funds for various
purposes including: technology, sanitization, improving indoor air quality,
facility improvements to reduce virus-transmission risk and addressing learning
loss among students. Wyoming Valley West School District is “in the very early
stages of putting together a committee to examine and implement a comprehensive
needs assessment plan” on how to spend its allocation of nearly $7.6 million,
Superintendent David Tosh said. “Recouping lost learning for students and
infusing new, more advanced technology will be critical components of the plan
that is in the very early stages as we complete the application,” Tosh said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/area-school-officials-planning-to-spend-covid-19-relief-funding/article_fe05f7f1-e382-5b21-a511-2c042bd1f4e3.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/area-school-officials-planning-to-spend-covid-19-relief-funding/article_fe05f7f1-e382-5b21-a511-2c042bd1f4e3.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone Oaks
teachers go on strike<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HALLIE LAUER
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette FEB 1, 2021 6:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The teachers
at Keystone Oaks School District announced Sunday that they will go on strike
Monday, as they and the district’s board of school directors have not yet
reached an agreement on a new contract. Classes are canceled until further
notice. However, the district must complete 180 days of school by June 15,
according to state law, which leaves the union only six days to strike. That
means the strike can last no longer than Feb. 9, based on the number of makeup
days the district has remaining. “Our hope is that an agreement can be reached
and students can return to classes as soon as possible,” Superintendent William
Stropkaj said in a statement on the school district’s website.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/31/Keystone-Oaks-teachers-plan-to-go-on-strike-monday-Feb-1-contract/stories/202101310223"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/31/Keystone-Oaks-teachers-plan-to-go-on-strike-monday-Feb-1-contract/stories/202101310223</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela Reese, wife of
Mike Reese, to run for late husband’s state House seat<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/jacob-tierney/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JACOB
TIERNEY</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Friday, January 29,
2021 7:15 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Angela Reese
said she hopes to carry on her late husband’s legacy by running for his former
seat in the state House. Mike Reese, 42, a Republican, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-rep-mike-reese-dead-at-42/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">died of an apparent brain aneurysm</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan. 2. He was reelected in November to
a seventh term representing the 59th Legislative District after running
unopposed. “It was a very difficult decision, not something I wanted to have to
think about right away. … I spent a lot of time talking with family and close
friends, and it just seemed like the right thing to do,” Angela Reese said. “We
did everything as a family, and I just wanted to continue that and continue his
legacy.” A </span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/special-election-to-fill-reese-state-house-seat-set/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">special election</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to
fill the seat will be held May 18.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/angie-reese-wife-of-mike-reese-to-run-for-late-husbands-state-house-seat/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/angie-reese-wife-of-mike-reese-to-run-for-late-husbands-state-house-seat/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Improper mask usage?
No playing. Bethlehem made right call to suspend Liberty High School hoops team<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-paul-muschick-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PAUL
MUSCHICK</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL |JAN 29, 2021 AT 8:00
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope other
school districts are willing to bench their sports teams if they don’t wear
masks properly while competing, as Bethlehem Area recently did. Superintendent
Joseph Roy suspended the Liberty High School boys basketball team from
practices and games for three days. His decision came after he and school board
members saw photos of players wearing masks around their chin or under their
nose during a game last week. Not all school districts require athletes to wear
masks. But those that do need to enforce the rule. Liberty plays in the Eastern
Pennsylvania Conference, which requires masks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-liberty-basketball-mask-suspension-muschick-20210129-fri4a6tfavhenbvljk55myhtpq-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-liberty-basketball-mask-suspension-muschick-20210129-fri4a6tfavhenbvljk55myhtpq-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Radnor school
officials outline mascot change procedures<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Delco Times </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:By%20Richard%20Ilgenfritz%20rilgenfritz@21st-centurymedia.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">By
Richard Ilgenfritz rilgenfritz@21st-centurymedia.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 29, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">RADNOR –
Months after voting to dump the Raiders name and Native American imagery, Radnor
school officials have begun moving toward its rebranding. In September, the
board voted unanimously to drop all Native American imagery. On the same night,
they cast a second vote to drop the Raiders nickname. At Tuesday night’s school
board meeting, Michael Petitti, director of communications for the school
district, and Dan Bechtold, director of secondary teaching and learning,
outlined the steps moving forward to decide on a new nickname and mascot. But
first they have to continue the purging of all the older images. According to
Petitti, district officials will identify instances where Native American
imagery, including anything with the “R” and feathers or the name Raiders and
remove it. The Native American head on the side of the school has already been
removed, he said. Other items, such as a score table with a Native American
image and chairs with both the name Raiders and an image of a Native American,
have been selected to be removed, he said. Although some things have been
removed and changed, one uncertainty is how much everything will cost the
district.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/news/radnor-school-officials-outline-mascot-change-procedures/article_6a94d067-982b-5dbf-9504-8f1f705bd60b.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.delcotimes.com/news/radnor-school-officials-outline-mascot-change-procedures/article_6a94d067-982b-5dbf-9504-8f1f705bd60b.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why we’re removing
comments on most of Inquirer.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The comments
on far too many Inquirer.com stories are toxic and have gotten worse as
mounting extremism and election denialism pollute our national discourse. Our
staff and readers deserve better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Philadelphia Inquirer February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">As of today,
we are removing comments from most of </span></span></span></span><a href="http://inquirer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Inquirer.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Comments will still be available on Sports
stories and our Inquirer Live events, and there will be other ways for people
to engage with our journalism and our journalists, including our letters
section, social media channels and other features that our readers have become
accustomed to, as well as new capabilities that we’re developing. Here’s more
about this change and what you can expect to see.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/about/philadelphia-inquirer-comments-section-changes-20210201.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/about/philadelphia-inquirer-comments-section-changes-20210201.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Flip in control of
U.S. Senate may give both of Pa.’s members more clout, in different ways<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/chthomps/posts.html" title="Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charles Thompson |
cthompson@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Posted Jan
29, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">There is a
case to be made that the control-shifting results of the 2020 elections could
amplify the clout of both of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators — one Democrat, one
Republican — in the upcoming 117th Congress. Besides the inauguration of
President Joseph R. Biden Jr., the big change this year, after the two January
run-off elections in Georgia, is </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-5050-senate/2021/01/20/6dee4cd6-5b38-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the retaking of the Senate by the Democrats.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Of course, 50 Democrats to 50
Republicans with Vice President Kamala Harris as tie-breaker is the slimmest
majority any party can have. But, said Jessica Taylor, who watches U.S. Senate
politics for the Cook Political Report newsletter, “it is still a majority, so
I think it’s better (for any senator) to be in power than out of power. And the
fact that they (Democrats) have the power in the House and the White House also
carries a lot of weight.” That’s good news for Sen. Robert P. Casey, a
third-term Democrat who goes from a member of the minority party seemingly destined
to butt heads with the Republican president, to being part of a majority with a
chance to work with a Democrat in the Oval Office. And some say the shift also
may make for interesting times for Republican Sen. Patrick Toomey, who has been
called upon to broker bipartisan deals in the past, and whose skills in that
regard may be needed more than ever as Democrats try to move some policy ideas
with bipartisan support.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/flip-in-control-of-us-senate-may-give-both-of-pas-members-more-clout-in-different-ways.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/flip-in-control-of-us-senate-may-give-both-of-pas-members-more-clout-in-different-ways.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden administration
urged to allow states to cancel spring standardized testing<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Washington Post
By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/valerie-strauss/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Valerie
Strauss</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Reporter Jan. 30, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Calls are
growing for President Biden and Miguel Cardona, the man expected to be
confirmed as his education secretary, to give states permission not to give
student federally mandated standardized tests this spring. Some states have
already declared they will seek a waiver from the federal mandate, and now more
than 70 local, state and national organizations joined to sign a letter (see
text below) to Cardona urging him to let states use other assessments to
determine how much progress students have made this year. More than 10,000
individuals signed it as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The letter
says in part: “It does not take a standardized assessment to know that for
millions of America’s children, the burden of learning remotely, either full-
or part-time, expands academic learning gaps between haves and have nots.
Whenever children are able to return fully to their classrooms, every
instructional moment should be dedicated to teaching, not to teasing out test
score gaps that we already know exist. If the tests are given this spring, the
scores will not be released until the fall of 2021 when students have different
teachers and may even be enrolled in a different school. Scores will have
little to no diagnostic value when they finally arrive. Simply put, a test is a
measure, not a remedy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/30/biden-administration-urged-allow-states-cancel-spring-standardized-testing/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/30/biden-administration-urged-allow-states-cancel-spring-standardized-testing/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School reopenings are
Biden's first big test<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Beaver County
Times Opinion By Michael R. Bloomberg February 1, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">America’s
schoolchildren and teachers have just gotten some very good news from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After reviewing data from multiple
studies in the U.S. and abroad, the agency has concluded that in-person
schooling poses very little risk of coronavirus transmission as long as basic
safety precautions are followed. That should send a clear message to governors,
mayors and teachers union leaders: It’s time to open the schools. In addition
to the terrible toll COVID-19 has taken on the nation’s health, it’s been a
calamity for American education. Only about 15% of school districts offered
full-time in-person classes last fall. For students and parents elsewhere, the
pandemic has meant navigating novel and often dubious remote-learning software.
Any parent of a young child can attest that virtual instruction typically falls
somewhere between subpar and hopeless.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/story/opinion/2021/02/01/op-ed-school-reopenings-president-bidens-first-big-test/4309486001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.timesonline.com/story/opinion/2021/02/01/op-ed-school-reopenings-president-bidens-first-big-test/4309486001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The problem is not that schools are
unsafe for children,” Mr. Johnson said last week. “The problem is schools may
nonetheless act as vectors for transmission, causing the virus to spread
between households.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Europe’s Schools Are
Closing Again on Concerns They Spread Covid-19<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Countries
are abandoning pledges to keep classrooms open as concerns mount over
children’s capacity to pass on the virus<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wall Street Journal
by Ruth Bender Updated Jan. 16, 2021 9:40 am ET<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">BERLIN—As
U.S. authorities debate whether to keep schools open, a consensus is emerging
in Europe that children are a considerable factor in the spread of Covid-19—and
more countries are shutting schools for the first time since the spring. Closures
have been announced recently in the U.K., Germany, Ireland, Austria, Denmark
and the Netherlands on concerns about </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-british-scientists-tracked-down-the-new-covid-19-variant-11608750228?mod=article_inline" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">a more infectious variant of the virus</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> first detected in the U.K. and rising case
counts despite lockdowns. While the debate continues, recent studies and
outbreaks show that schoolchildren, even younger ones, can play a significant
role in spreading infections. “In the second wave we acquired much more
evidence that schoolchildren are almost equally, if not more infected by
SARS-CoV-2 than others,“ said Antoine Flahault, director of the University of
Geneva’s Institute of Global Health. Schools have represented one of the most
contentious issues of the pandemic given the possible long-term impact of
closures on children and the economic fallout from parents being forced to stay
home. The recent shutdown of schools was especially dramatic in England. U.K.
Prime Minister </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/topics/person/boris-johnson"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Boris Johnson</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> initially planned to keep elementary
schools there open after the Christmas break, but </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-introduces-lockdown-until-mid-february-11609791434?mod=article_inline" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">changed course amid soaring infections</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. After one day back, schools were closed
until further notice. Plans to gradually reopen high schools through January
were also scrapped.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-schools-are-closing-again-on-concerns-they-spread-covid-19-11610805601"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-schools-are-closing-again-on-concerns-they-spread-covid-19-11610805601</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join PFPS and NPE for
“Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher Bills and
Tools to Oppose Them” Webinar Feb. 4<sup>th</sup> 4 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Author: PFPS
Posted: Jan 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public Funds
Public Schools resumes our engaging and well attended webinar series begun in
2020 with the first installment of 2021. Join PFPS and the Network for Public
Education on Thursday, February 4, at 4 p.m. EST for an important and topical
webinar, “Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher
Bills and Tools to Oppose Them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Panelists
will discuss the significant private school voucher bills that have already
been introduced in State Legislatures around the country, additional legislative
action to watch for during 2021 legislative sessions, and tools and resources
made available to advocates by PFPS and others. The webinar will feature
representatives from the SPLC Action Fund and Education Law Center, which
support the PFPS campaign, and from the National Coalition for Public
Education, as well as Carol Burris, Executive Director of the Network for
Public Education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Use
this </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/PFPSwebinar" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">link</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to register for</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Fighting Voucher Legislation: An Update
on State Voucher Bills and Tools to Oppose Them <i>on February 4 at 4 p.m.
EST.</i></span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION
CONVERSATION: An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and
Guardrails” Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will
likely be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions.
What if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its
attention on student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students?
Could that improve the student experience? Would that deliver educational
equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia
Board of Education began consulting with education leaders across the country
to explore this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and
Guardrails. The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee
Huang, as both “obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite
called it a “game changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might
mean for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-85945473156354168242021-01-29T08:23:00.000-05:002021-01-29T08:23:37.691-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 29: “Hold Harmless”: Pennsylvania distributes billions of dollars of education funding based on enrollment numbers last updated in 1991<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 29, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Hold Harmless”: Pennsylvania
distributes billions of dollars of education funding based on enrollment
numbers last updated in 1991<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day March 22 via Zoom<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/PSBA"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@PSBA</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/pasa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@PASA</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> public school leaders are invited to join us
for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom.
Registration on </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/rc4RMqxP31?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://myPSBA.org</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“While a single deficiency would be
grounds for denial, the Department has identified deficiencies for every
criterion”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/PADeptofEd"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">@PADeptofEd</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> has denied the Executive Education Cyber Charter School
application that was submitted on Sept. 22, 2020 <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Based on a
review of the written application, questions and responses recorded at the
November </span></span></i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: arial;">12 Hearing,
and public comments concerning the application, the Department denies Executive </span></i><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Education’s
application. While a single deficiency would be grounds for denial, the
Department </span></i><i><span style="font-family: arial;">has
identified deficiencies for every criterion.”</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Cyber%20Charter%20School%20Application%20Decisions/EECCS%20Decision.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Cyber%20Charter%20School%20Application%20Decisions/EECCS%20Decision.pdf</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hold “Harmless”: A
Quarter Century of Inequity at the Heart of Pennsylvania’s School System</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PCCY Report
January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://t.co/fJhdqLgCIh?amp=1" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://pccy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PCCY-HoldHarmlessReport-2020-Final.pdf</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania distributes billions of
dollars of education funding based on enrollment numbers last updated in 1991. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, some wealthy school districts are
getting far more dollars-per-student than others in lower-income areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Advocates highlight
how Pa.’s outdated school funding policy causes deep inequities<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/miles-bryan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miles Bryan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pennsylvania
distributes billions of dollars of education funding based on enrollment
numbers last updated in 1991. As a result, some wealthy school districts are
getting far more dollars-per-student than others in lower-income areas. That’s
one of the conclusions reached by </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.pccy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PCCY-HoldHarmlessReport-2020-Final.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">a new
report</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on inequities in how the commonwealth
funds education, published Wednesday by the nonprofit advocacy group Public
Citizens for Children and Youth. The report focuses on Pennsylvania’s ‘hold
harmless’ policy. Enacted in 1991, it bars the state from funding school
districts at levels lower than the prior year. When it was implemented,
districts appreciated its guarantee of predictability, making it easier for
school boards to make long-term plans. Over time, as the student enrollment
plummeted in some places and surged in others, it’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/the-story-of-pennsylvanias-per-pupil-school-funding-in-two-maps-and-a-chart/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">added
to the wide inequities</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> that </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/the-cold-realities-of-education-in-a-poor-pennsylvania-school-district/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">exist
in Pennsylvania public schools</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. In 2016, the state passed a new
student-based funding formula that more closely tied dollars to need, but
lawmakers decided to use it only to distribute increases in aid. Five years
later, nearly 90% of the state’s $6.8 billion basic education subsidy is </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/how-would-your-school-district-fare-if-lawmakers-ramped-up-the-new-pa-funding-formula/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">still
distributed based on hold harmless. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Advocates have been criticizing the policy
for years. PCCY’s report found that the two-thirds of Pennsylvania school
districts where enrollment has shrunk over the last thirty years receive far
more funding per pupil from the state than the others that have grown. Pennsylvania’s
Black and Latino students are the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/report-finds-students-of-color-shortchanged-by-pa-school-funding/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">most
negatively impacted</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">: The report states more than 80% of them are
located in growing school districts that would </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/views-on-equity-clash-in-new-pa-school-funding-formula/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">benefit
tremendously</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> by axing hold harmless and running all
state funding through the 2016 formula.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/advocates-highlight-how-pa-s-outdated-school-funding-policy-causes-deep-inequities/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/advocates-highlight-how-pa-s-outdated-school-funding-policy-causes-deep-inequities/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Follow-up Lehigh
Valley School Funding Lawsuit<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education
Voters PA/Bethlehem Area Proud Parents January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Author :
BASDproudparent Category : </span></span></span></span><a href="https://basdproudparents.org/category/fair-funding/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">fair
funding</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://basdproudparents.org/category/funding/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Funding</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://basdproudparents.org/category/stay-informed/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Stay
Informed</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An update on
the Lehigh Valley School Funding Lawsuit from Education Voters of PA<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">From a
webinar with attorneys from the Education Law Center and Public Interest Law
Center <b>about Pennsylvania’s historic school funding lawsuit. </b></span></span></span></span><a href="https://basdproudparents.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021.01.27-joint-ELC-PILC-Leigh-Valley-School-funding-lawsuit-presentation-final.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Please find attached the slides from
last night’s presentation.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> For more information about the school
funding lawsuit, please visit </span></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.fundourschoolspa.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.fundourschoolspa.org/</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
may find both a recording of a general webinar both in</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> English and with a Spanish translation here:
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.fundourschoolspa.org/video"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.fundourschoolspa.org/video</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What can you
do now to advocate now?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://basdproudparents.org/follow-up-lehigh-valley-school-funding-lawsuit/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://basdproudparents.org/follow-up-lehigh-valley-school-funding-lawsuit/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Funding sub-standard
cyber schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Sunbury Daily
Item Commentary January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This
commentary was written by members of the Shamokin Area School Board and school
administrators. Shamokin Area School Board: Brian Persing, Melissa Hovenstine,
Erik Anderson, Laura Scandle, Jeff Kashner, Ed Griffiths, Charlie Shuey,
Rosalie Smoogen, Bernie Sosnoskie. Superintendent: Chris Venna, Business
Manager: Karen Colangelo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the
COVID-19 pandemic hit, there has been a huge increase in cyber charter school
enrollment across the country, including in Pennsylvania where cyber charter
school enrollment is up by 63% to 62,000 students as of Oct. 1, 2020. Locally
in the Shamokin Area School District cyber enrollment is up 17%. This trend
should have Pennsylvania parents and taxpayers, including those in the Shamokin
Area, extremely concerned about the financial implications this enrollment
increase will have on school districts. To put this impact into numbers, school
districts can expect as much as a $350 million dollar increase in their cyber
charter tuition bills this year alone, due to the pandemic-generated cyber
charter school enrollment increases. It’s important to keep in mind that this
massive sum is only part of the $475 million overall cyber charter school
tuition increase this school year that school districts are facing in addition
to navigating through a global pandemic. The $475 million increase in cyber
charter school tuition this school year effectively nullifies the majority of
the federal funds public schools received under the CARES Act.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This means
most of those funds will not have their intended impact — to aid our public
schools in a time of crisis. Moreover, the Act 1 index rate will not allow an
increase in property taxes to cover the gap in increased cyber charter school
payments, leaving hopelessly unbalanced budgets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The impact
on the SASD budget is immense. We received $834,272 in CARES Act money and will
spend $2.1 million in cyber school tuition, $300,000 more than was budgeted due
to the unknown increase in enrollment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/funding-sub-standard-cyber-schools/article_eef1b29f-a43c-518c-9960-a6e61c1b0d45.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/funding-sub-standard-cyber-schools/article_eef1b29f-a43c-518c-9960-a6e61c1b0d45.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“In past years, there’s been a steady
rise in students making the switch to charter. Usually, close to two-thirds
choose cyber, the remaining, just over one-third, opt for brick-and-mortar,
Celmer said. But during the past year, 100% of students who left for charter
picked cyber schools. With each student goes $10,000 from the school district
that they must pay to the charter school, he said. For each special education
student, that number jumps to $28,000. For the 200 students the district lost
this year, Celmer said they are looking at a $2 to $3 million payout.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CARES Act funding
under fire, as Harrisburg School District loses students to cyber charters<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Burg JANUARY
28, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inequity has
been an issue for decades, according to Acting Superintendent for the
Harrisburg School District, Chris Celmer. He was referring to what he sees as
unfair funding for charter schools—specifically cyber charters. While he’s
spoken on this numerous times, this time had a new edge to it—new meaning. Allocation
amounts of second-round federal CARES Act funding recently were announced, and
Celmer expressed his disappointment in what he saw. When the pandemic hit, the
Harrisburg School District had to pivot quickly, like most brick and mortar
schools, closing classrooms and doling out laptops. They scrambled to create
options for students, knowing what would inevitably come and trying desperately
to stop it. The district formed the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA),
a cyber-only alternative to their mainstream option in which students will
eventually return to the classroom. “We understand that we need to provide
options for our students and families, and we are willing to put in the time,
money and effort to do so,” Celmer said. And yet, that didn’t stop over 200
students from moving to charter schools. He said, without HVLA, which has over
200 students, the number could’ve been closer to 500.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://theburgnews.com/news/__trashed"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://theburgnews.com/news/__trashed</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester Area
School District Denies Charter School Application<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mychesco.com/a/education/west-chester-area-school-district-denies-charter-school-application/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">January
28, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> - by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mychesco.com/a/author/mychesco_staff/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">MyChesCo</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> - <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST
CHESTER, PA — The West Chester Area School District Board of Directors
this week denied the application of Skills for Life Charter School. “The
administration has spent many hours reviewing this application to determine if
it has met the four standards in the charter school law. We have found it
doesn’t meet any of the four standards,” said Dr. Jim Scanlon, WCASD
Superintendent. “The application doesn’t demonstrate sustainable support from
the community or how it will support comprehensive learning experiences for
students. The application also fails to provide any fiscal stability to
operate, nor does it serve as a model for other public schools,” continued
Scanlon. The Skills for Life Charter School application was filed on November
15, 2020, and presented to the school board via Zoom during a special hearing
on December 7, 2020. “While we appreciate the applicant’s passion for bringing
this to the board, the application falls short of meeting the standards for a
charter school,” said Chris McCune, WCASD School Board President. The applicant
has 60 days to file an appeal to the Pennsylvania Charter Appeals Board.
According to the application, Skills for Life Charter School is designed to be
a micro-charter school serving approximately 15 students in grades 1- 8. The
proposed location for the school is 355 West Market Street in West Chester.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mychesco.com/a/education/west-chester-area-school-district-denies-charter-school-application/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mychesco.com/a/education/west-chester-area-school-district-denies-charter-school-application/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most Philly kids off
track on reading; school board grills Hite<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By 2026, 62%
of third graders should be reading on grade level; based on standardized tests
administered this fall, the district is off track, with 35% of children meeting
standards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Jan 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Only 33% of
Philadelphia third graders read at grade level, and the school board wants to
know what Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. is going to do about it. On
Thursday night, the school board launched a new approach to monitoring the
Philadelphia School District and its schools chief, examining in great detail
how city students fare on reading assessments and what might be needed to
advance sluggish progress. Late last year, the board adopted a goal of having
62% of third graders reading at grade level by 2026. Based on standardized
tests administered this fall, however, the district is off track — with only
35% of children meeting reading standards. Reading at third grade is
significant; research shows that children who are proficient readers by the end
of that year are likely to graduate from high school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-board-reading-hite-20210129.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-board-reading-hite-20210129.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘We should not rush
this’: Students demand a voice in Philadelphia’s reopening plans<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 28, 2021, 4:17pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Brandon
Archer, a senior at Masterman High School, has accepted the fact he may never
experience a prom or walk across the stage for his graduation. But he and
others his age are taking issue with the Philadelphia school district’s
reopening plan, calling it “rushed.” A coalition of student leaders from a mix
of schools and organizations gathered on Wednesday evening to discuss the
district’s reopening plans with Chalkbeat. Their view was unanimous: The
district should “slow down” the process and involve more students in the
planning. Student representatives from Philadelphia Student Union, Philadelphia
Black Student Alliance, UrbEd and the Bullhorn attended the roundtable discussion.
“The district needs to be transparent about these processes,” said Archer, who
is a member of UrbEd and the Philadelphia Black Student Alliance. “If we expect
parents to make a decision if they are ready for their child to go back to
school, we need to make sure that our parents are informed of what that entails
— if it is just two days a week.” Superintendent William Hite announced on
Wednesday a reopening plan that calls for prekindergarten through second grade
students to come back two days a week, in shifts, beginning Feb. 22. Staff
supporting those grades will return to school buildings on Feb. 8.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/28/22254955/we-should-not-rush-this-students-demand-a-voice-in-philadelphias-reopening-plans"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/28/22254955/we-should-not-rush-this-students-demand-a-voice-in-philadelphias-reopening-plans</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly school board
expresses support for return to classrooms at meeting with limited public
comment<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WHYY By Emily
Rizzo January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">At a
Philadelphia Board of Education meeting that featured unusually limited public
comment, board members expressed support for Superintendent William Hite’s</span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-plans-to-offer-in-person-k-2-classes-in-february-making-third-attempt-at-reopening/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> plan
to start in-person learning</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for
pre-registered Pre-K through grade 2 students on Feb 22. Cohorts of
students would be in classrooms two days a week. Pertinent staff are expected
to report to schools on February 8. No formal vote on the matter was
taken Thursday, as the board granted the district authority over the summer to
reconvene classroom learning. At the start of the meeting, Hite said virtual
learning has caused learning loss and physical and mental health issues.
“A lack of in person learning unfortunately disproportionately harms our low
income students,” he said. “Our most vulnerable children are falling farther
behind.” Much of the public testimony about the return plan came from parents
and teachers who expressed disdain for the hybrid model. Most were concerned
with the risk of contracting COVID-19, especially with new strains in the U.S.
and the slow roll-out of vaccines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-school-board-expresses-support-for-return-to-classrooms-at-meeting-with-limited-public-comment/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/philly-school-board-expresses-support-for-return-to-classrooms-at-meeting-with-limited-public-comment/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly schools
announce plans for students return in February<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/special-to-the-capital-star/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Special
to the Capital-Star</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> By Chanel Hill January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PHILADELPHIA
—</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> School
District of Philadelphia administrators announced Wednesday plans to transition
to a hybrid learning model – a mix of in-person learning and remote learning –
starting Feb. 22 for pre-k to second grade students. Staff supporting pre-k to
second grade students will return to school buildings Feb. 8 to prepare for
students later that month. It will be the first time District students will
have in-person learning since last March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“We know that while some students can thrive in a digital learning environment,
many do not,” said School District of Philadelphia superintendent William Hite.
“Some of our most vulnerable students, including younger learners, are at risk
of falling behind. “Escalating violence and feelings of isolation are all
tragic consequences of the pandemic, further threatening the health and
well-being of our young people,” he added. “Resuming in-person learning
opportunities is a crucial step to help restore a much-needed sense of familiarity,
community and connectedness for students and families.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/philly-schools-announces-plans-for-students-return-in-february/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/philly-schools-announces-plans-for-students-return-in-february/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Marten has been superintendent of San
Diego Unified since 2013. But before that she had been a teacher for 17 years,
as well as principal of San Diego’s Central Elementary School, a school in the
diverse City Heights neighborhood where 96% of students qualify for free and
reduced-priced meals.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">San Diego
superintendent will bring years of teaching to U.S. deputy education
secretary post <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">EdSource by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://edsource.org/author/lfreedberg"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">LOUIS FREEDBERG</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JANUARY 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On the
campaign trail, Joe Biden promised </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/05/politics/joe-biden-appoint-teacher-education-secretary/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">to select a teacher</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to be
his secretary of education. Just before Christmas, in a surprise choice, he
named Connecticut Commissioner of Education </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-who-is-miguel-cardona-20201222-t3ok4evvobfhrgwyesjql67vny-story.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miguel Cardona</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to the
post. Cardona has been a teacher — albeit for only about five years before
becoming a principal and district administrator. Biden has now doubled down on
his pro-teacher stance by nominating San Diego Unified Superintendent Cindy
Marten to be deputy secretary of education, the number two position in the U.S.
Department of Education. With Cardona, Marten will play a pivotal role in
advocating for and implementing President-elect Biden’s expansive education
agenda, including getting funds to states, so they can open the majority of
their elementary schools within 100 days of his taking office. With the Senate
soon to be controlled by Democrats, principal elements of Biden’s agenda now
have far more of a chance of actually being implemented. She will also have
major responsibilities in managing the entire department, and to fill in for
Cardona as acting secretary when needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://edsource.org/2021/biden-nominates-san-diego-unified-superintendent-to-number-two-position-in-u-s-dept-of-education/647205"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://edsource.org/2021/biden-nominates-san-diego-unified-superintendent-to-number-two-position-in-u-s-dept-of-education/647205</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lawmakers Push $75
Billion for Learning Recovery Among Trio of COVID-19 Bills<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — January 28, 2021 6 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Congressional
Democrats are proposing $75 billion over two years to help schools reengage
with missing students, and to help them diagnose and address learning
interruptions and other issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Learning
Recovery Act, which is being introduced Thursday in the U.S. House of
Representatives, is one of three bills lawmakers are rolling out to address
various K-12 education needs. Taken together, they could become part of the
vehicle on Capitol Hill for President Joe Biden’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-call-for-130-billion-in-new-k-12-relief-scaled-up-testing-vaccination-efforts/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">COVID-19
relief plan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for K-12 education. However, they
aren’t written to precisely match all parts of Biden’s blueprint and could also
serve as stand-alone bills. Versions of the other two bills being rolled out
this week were introduced in the last Congress by Democrats. The Save Education
Jobs Act would provide up to $261 billion over 10 years, and would save up to
3.9 million K-12 jobs, according to its supporters, including 2.6 million
teacher jobs as well as positions for social workers, school bus drivers, and
more. And the Reopen and Rebuild the America’s Schools Act would provide $100
billion in federal aid and another $30 billion in bond authority for schools to
upgrade HVAC systems, improve water quality, and otherwise upgrade their
infrastructure. The Biden plan includes $130 billion for K-12 education that
could be used for everything from virus mitigation measures to addressing
academic needs. There’s also $350 billion in the bill to shore up state, local,
and territorial budgets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/lawmakers-push-75-billion-for-learning-recovery-among-trio-of-covid-19-bills/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/lawmakers-push-75-billion-for-learning-recovery-among-trio-of-covid-19-bills/2021/01</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join PFPS and NPE for
“Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher Bills and
Tools to Oppose Them” Webinar Feb. 4<sup>th</sup> 4 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Author: PFPS
Posted: Jan 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public Funds
Public Schools resumes our engaging and well attended webinar series begun in
2020 with the first installment of 2021. Join PFPS and the Network for Public
Education on Thursday, February 4, at 4 p.m. EST for an important and topical
webinar, “Fighting Voucher Legislation in 2021: An Update on State Voucher
Bills and Tools to Oppose Them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Panelists
will discuss the significant private school voucher bills that have already
been introduced in State Legislatures around the country, additional legislative
action to watch for during 2021 legislative sessions, and tools and resources
made available to advocates by PFPS and others. The webinar will feature
representatives from the SPLC Action Fund and Education Law Center, which
support the PFPS campaign, and from the National Coalition for Public
Education, as well as Carol Burris, Executive Director of the Network for
Public Education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Use
this </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/PFPSwebinar" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">link</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to register for</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Fighting Voucher Legislation: An Update
on State Voucher Bills and Tools to Oppose Them <i>on February 4 at 4 p.m.
EST.</i></span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://pfps.org/join-pfps-and-npe-for-%E2%80%9Cfighting-voucher-legislation-in-2021-an-update-on-state-voucher-bills-and-tools-to-oppose-them%E2%80%9D.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION
CONVERSATION: An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and
Guardrails” Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will
likely be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions.
What if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its
attention on student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students?
Could that improve the student experience? Would that deliver educational
equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia
Board of Education began consulting with education leaders across the country
to explore this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and
Guardrails. The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee
Huang, as both “obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite
called it a “game changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might
mean for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-2507965091821796912021-01-28T09:02:00.000-05:002021-01-28T09:02:27.471-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 28, 2021: Pennsylvania’s school choice debate more fraught than ever amid pandemic<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania’s school
choice debate more fraught than ever amid pandemic<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania’s school
choice debate more fraught than ever amid pandemic</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Times Herald
By Christen Smith The Center Square Jan 27, 2021 Updated 8 hrs ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s
National School Choice week, and public debate about whether lawmakers should
prioritize traditional districts or ease limitations on their public and
private alternatives seems more fraught than ever. In Pennsylvania, the
discourse targets the same players – teachers unions face blame for fighting to
keep in-person instruction limited, parents fearful of the virus want cyber
alternatives for their kids, and school districts grapple with the surging cost
of charter tuition siphoned from their constrained budgets. The pandemic
intensified it all and then some, pushing the historical inequities of the
state-funded system that often leaves behind the most disadvantaged students to
the forefront, said Philadelphia Democratic Sen. Tony Williams. “Even if you
have a lot of money, the length of the pandemic and the requirement to stay
home has revealed that there is no panacea,” he told The Center Square on
Tuesday. “So, those who are not prepared and forced into it don’t tend to do it
as well.” Williams is a rarity in the General Assembly – a Democrat that
advocates for school choice, even though he’s opposed much of the GOP-backed
legislation to come through the Legislature in the last decade. His 8th
senatorial district spans west and south through Philadelphia and into Delaware
County, covering many of the 70,000 city students enrolled at charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesherald.com/news/state/pennsylvania-s-school-choice-debate-more-fraught-than-ever-amid-pandemic/article_e33f8fbe-3bca-5646-b7b4-6143a9f1e1dc.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.timesherald.com/news/state/pennsylvania-s-school-choice-debate-more-fraught-than-ever-amid-pandemic/article_e33f8fbe-3bca-5646-b7b4-6143a9f1e1dc.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Education should
focus on the needs of the child<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Post Gazette
Opinion by TIM ELLER, Senior Vice President of Outreach and Government
Relations, Commonwealth Charter Academy JAN 28, 2021 12:00 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Jan. 24
article “</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/24/Financial-operations-concerns-continue-in-2021-for-Pa-school-leaders/stories/202101190115" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Report: Pa. School Leaders Still Concerned for Operations, Finances in
2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">” is another attempt to castigate public
cybercharter schools for the failures of local school districts. Public
cybercharter schools have seen an increase in enrollment because school
districts were not and are not capable of providing high-quality comprehensive
online education to students. Public cybercharter schools are not the villain.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the forefront the great work cyberschools have
been doing for the past two decades. It appears that traditional public
education establishment organizations and their supporters conveniently fail to
mention that since the pandemic hit, Pennsylvania public schools received an
additional $2.7 billion in federal funding, of which, $2.3 billion is allocated
to school districts alone and is not shared with public cybercharter schools.
They also fail to mention that students who attend public cybercharter schools,
on average, receive 25% less funding than their peers in district-run schools. State,
local and federal taxes paid by taxpayers do not belong to school districts.
Tax dollars are meant to educate students based on what parents determine is
the most appropriate school to serve their child’s needs. School district
leaders must face the fact that their inaction has created a paradigm shift in
education, and families shifting to public cybercharter schools are doing what
they believe is in the best interests of their child. You cannot blame them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/01/28/Education-should-focus-on-the-needs-of-the-child/stories/202101260133"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/01/28/Education-should-focus-on-the-needs-of-the-child/stories/202101260133</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Prep is now appealing the
Department’s decision to the Charter Schools Appeal Board as is their right
under Pennsylvania’s Charter School Law.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">…Pennsylvania’s Charter School Law
allows new applicants many bites at the apple. Virtual Prep initially applied
in July 2019, was denied in January 2020, resubmitted in September, and was
denied in November. Now they will go before the Charter Appeals Board in 2021.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Previously
unavailable information” concerning Virtual Prep cyber charter school<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PCCY Website
January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last
November, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) rejected Virtual
Preparatory Academy of Pennsylvania’s resubmitted application to create a new
cyber charter school. This was not a close call. “While a single deficiency
would be grounds to deny the application, the Department has again identified
significant deficiencies for each criterion,” wrote PDE.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual Prep
is now appealing the Department’s decision to the Charter Schools Appeal Board
as is their right under Pennsylvania’s Charter School Law. This same law allows
the Appeals Board to supplement the record if the information was “previously
unavailable.” A lot has happened since November and there are two important
pieces of previously unavailable information that should be added to the record.
First, Richard Saccone, a member of Virtual Prep’s Board of Trustees,
participated in the January 6th Capitol protests, raising new doubts about
Virtual Prep’s leadership. Saccone is a former state legislator and who ran for
Congress and was narrowly defeated by Connor Lamb in 2019. His political
activities took a different turn on January 6 when he traveled to Washington,
stood in front of the Capitol and posted “We are storming the capitol. Our
vanguard has broken thru the barricades. We will save this nation. Are u with
me?” and “We are trying to run out all the evil people and RINOs that have
betrayed our president.” and “We are going to run them out of their offices.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pccy.org/news/previously-unavailable-information-concerning-virtual-prep-cyber-charter-school/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pccy.org/news/previously-unavailable-information-concerning-virtual-prep-cyber-charter-school/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Backyard white
supremacy: Central Pa. high school students take to social media to fight
racism in the classroom | Thursday Morning Coffee<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star Commentary By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/john-l-micek/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">John
L. Micek</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Good
Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">If you’ve
heard of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mapquest.com/us/pennsylvania/biglerville-pa-282031955"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Biglerville,
Pa.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, it might well be because you’ve passed
signs for it on your way to the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/gettysburg?gclid=CjwKCAiAu8SABhAxEiwAsodSZAJmlnEUHgMiMge5qBpgfRBlNS8FrFVhN_nr0Tyu1QD5JiUvPb_5SBoC9rUQAvD_BwE"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gettysburg
battlefield</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in rural Adams County. A stone’s throw
from the Maryland state line, the tiny borough of just </span></span></span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biglerville,_Pennsylvania"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1,222
people</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is also home to the </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.nationalapplemuseum.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">National Apple Museum</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Adams County, after all, is apple and stone
fruit country. But now, it’s known for something else: Impassioned students who
are taking to social media to hit back at what they say is decades of
institutional racism. And they want school officials </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/students-use-social-media-to-share-stories-of-racism-at-central-pa-high-school-demand-change.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">to
take immediate action</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Last week,
students created <i>“<b>Racism at Biglerville High School</b>“</i> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/racismatbhs/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Instagram</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/BhsRacism"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Twitter</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Racism-At-Biglerville-High-School-105342181560636/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Facebook</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> accounts, according to a statement
provided through the <b>Pennsylvania Youth Congress</b>, an LGBTQ advocacy
and civil rights group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Racist
expressions, taunts, threats, and physical violence have been a regular and
unchecked staple of the <b>Biglerville High School</b> community for
generations,” the group said in its statement. “The punishment for the white
students perpetrating the violence and harassment, if any, has been noted as
extremely lenient. Black and brown students were often blamed or criminalized
for the violence they experienced.” In its statement, the group included
anonymously sourced tales of the racism and harassment that students of color
said they experienced at the school. To put it bluntly, they’re heartbreaking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can read
some of them after the jump.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/backyard-white-supremacy-central-pa-high-school-students-take-to-social-media-to-fight-racism-in-the-classroom-thursday-morning-coffee/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/backyard-white-supremacy-central-pa-high-school-students-take-to-social-media-to-fight-racism-in-the-classroom-thursday-morning-coffee/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The rest of the money, $197 million,
would be distributed to educational institutions that did not get a cut of the
$2.2 billion in federal coronavirus aid that public schools and charter schools
are receiving under last month's federal coronavirus recovery package. Most of
it would go to private schools.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. Senate approves
$912 million bill for pandemic recovery aid<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The bill
still requires approval from the state House of Representatives and Gov. Tom
Wolf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by The
Associated Press, The Associated Press Published Jan 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG —
Pennsylvania’s Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation to
distribute just over $900 million to aid schools and hospitality-related
businesses hit hard by the coronavirus, as well as people struggling to pay
rent or utility bills. The bill still requires approval from the state House of
Representatives and Gov. Tom Wolf. Most of the $912 million being directed by
the bill is federal aid approved by Congress in last month's coronavirus recovery
package. Some of it, $145 million, is reserve cash from a worker’s compensation
fund that Wolf last month had asked lawmakers to send to businesses hit hard by
the pandemic. The money would be available through counties in grants of up to
$50,000 for bars, restaurants and hotels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The majority
of the money, $570 million, would be divided up to counties based on population
to help people struggling to pay rent or utilities. Landlords and tenants would
be eligible to apply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/pennsylvania-senate-coronavirus-stimulus-bill-20210127.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/pennsylvania-senate-coronavirus-stimulus-bill-20210127.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The second component designates $197
million dollars for education programs. The majority of that funding will be
used as competitive grants for schools impacted by the pandemic. It also sends
money to career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools for
the deaf and blind, private schools, and the State System for Higher Education.
“All those that we appropriated for are given an allocation of these dollars so
they can counter the effects of the pandemic on their operations and their
students and their families,” says Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), who helped
construct the bill.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pa. Senate Lawmakers
Approve COVID-19 Relief Bill<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WENY By Cody
Carlson Wednesday, January 27th 2021, 4:22 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Harrisburg,
Pa. (WENY)-- A $912 million dollar COVID-19 relief bill for Pennsylvania
is making its way through the state Legislature. Senate Bill 109 passed the
Senate Wednesday afternoon with unanimous bipartisan support. It’ll provide
much-needed relief toward rental and utility assistance, education programs,
and small businesses. “This legislation now serves to drive out nearly $1
billion of assistance to our communities to address the ongoing impacts of
COVID-19. Through business assistance, rental assistance, and assistance to our
education community, this legislation is vitally important to drive out these
dollars that are literally sitting in our state Treasury right now,” says Sen.
Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong), who sponsored the bill. The COVID-19 relief bill
includes three main components. The first, and largest, provides $569 million
dollars for rental and utility assistance for tenants and landlords in all 67
counties. It will utilize existing programs that counties are familiar with to
make sure the rollout is as smooth as possible. “We’ve ensured that the funding
will be made available to actually pay the bills through rent and utility
offsets,” says Sen. Pittman.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.weny.com/story/43244969/pa-senate-lawmakers-approve-covid-19-relief-bill"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.weny.com/story/43244969/pa-senate-lawmakers-approve-covid-19-relief-bill</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: it has been anticipated
that Pennsylvania may lose a congressional seat….<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Census numbers for
dividing up House seats delayed until April 30, bureau says<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY/NPR By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/177498291/hansi-lo-wang?ft=nprml&f=961247853" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hansi Lo Wang</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 27,
2021 Updated at 6:15 p.m. ET<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Disrupted by
the coronavirus pandemic and last-minute changes by the Trump administration,
the U.S. Census Bureau announced Wednesday that the release of the first
results of the 2020 census will likely be delayed by four months. The latest
state population counts used to determine each state’s share of votes in the
House of Representatives and the Electoral College for the next decade are now
expected by April 30. Those numbers were legally due by the end of last year.
But the bureau </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/12/30/951566925/census-to-miss-year-end-deadline-for-delivering-numbers-for-house-seats"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">missed
that deadline last month for the first time</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> since it was put in place in 1976.
Career civil servants postponed releasing the counts in order to try to
fix </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/12/05/943416487/millions-of-census-records-may-be-flawed-jeopardizing-trumps-bid-to-alter-count"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">irregularities
they began uncovering</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in
census records shortly after </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/09/18/911960963/how-trump-officials-cut-the-2020-census-short-amid-the-pandemic"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Trump
officials ended counting early in October</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/census-numbers-for-dividing-up-house-seats-delayed-until-april-30-bureau-says/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/census-numbers-for-dividing-up-house-seats-delayed-until-april-30-bureau-says/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">59 Schools Receive
Grants To Upgrade Cafeterias<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PDE Press
Release 01/26/2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Harrisburg,
PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced today that
more than $875,000 in competitive grants has been awarded to 59 elementary,
middle, and high schools across the state for the purchase of new food service
equipment for cafeterias. “Research has shown that when students have access to
nutritious meals, their focus, energy, and overall performance in school
increases,” said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “The grants awarded
by the department will provide schools with equipment and other resources
needed to enhance and improve their ability to provide students with the
essential meals they need to learn and grow.” Funding for the grants is made
available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Grants are awarded to
schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Schools use the
grants to purchase or upgrade equipment such as refrigerators, freezers,
stoves, and dishwashers. …</span> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A list of schools receiving food service equipment grants appears below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/education-details.aspx?newsid=1034"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/education-details.aspx?newsid=1034</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pittsburgh Public
Schools reopening postponed to April<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:agoldstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">agoldstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JAN 27, 2021 7:05 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Students in
the Pittsburgh Public Schools will not return to the classroom earlier than
April after the board of directors approved a measure that keeps
brick-and-mortar buildings closed through spring break. The
district had planned to bring back students in early February, but the target
return date is now April 6 — the beginning of the school year’s fourth
quarter. The vast majority of students in the district have not been in the
classroom since mid-March, when schools went remote in an effort to slow the
spread of COVID-19. The board voted, 7-2, to further delay the reopening of
schools after listening to six hours of testimony this week from parents who
demanded the district provide at least some in-person instruction and teachers
who said they would not feel safe going back into buildings. “There are a
lot of concerns,” board member Terry Kennedy said. “I, too, would love to
have our children back in school. Today, I’m not willing to go, and I’m not
willing to ask someone to do something that I’m not willing to do.”Ms. Kennedy
as well as board members Kevin Carter, Veronica Edwards, Cynthia Falls, Bill
Gallagher, Pam Harbin and Sylvia Wilson approved the resolution. Board members
Devon Taliaferro and Sala Udin voted against it. The district is one of only
three school systems in Allegheny County that have not implemented a model of
instruction that includes at least some in-person learning for students.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/27/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-reopening-postponed-spring-2021-COVID-19-coronavirus/stories/202101270143"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/27/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-reopening-postponed-spring-2021-COVID-19-coronavirus/stories/202101270143</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pittsburgh Public
board again delays student return to in-school learning, calls on district to
survey needs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Public
Source by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.publicsource.org/author/tylisa-c-johnson/" title="Read All Posts By TyLisa C. Johnson"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">TyLisa C. Johnson</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pittsburgh
Public students won’t return to brick-and-mortar school buildings until April 6
at the earliest, following a decision by the school board Wednesday evening and
a two-day, 127-speaker public hearing in the days leading up to the
decision. The board approved a resolution in a 7-2 vote, following
amendments, to keep students at home in remote learning through the beginning
of the school year’s fourth quarter. Board members Sala Udin and Devon
Taliaferro voted against the amended resolution, signaling a desire to bring
students and teachers back sooner than April. Board members Pam Harbin and
Terry Kennedy presented an amended version of the original resolution at
Wednesday’s meeting, which had more than 1,000 stream viewers, with additions
to address transportation challenges and growing student needs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-public-board-again-delays-student-return-pps-covid-remote-learning/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-public-board-again-delays-student-return-pps-covid-remote-learning/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some Philly kids can
finally return to school next month after nearly a year away. Reactions are
mixed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">About 9,000
prekindergarten through second-grade students can come back two days a week
beginning Feb. 22. Their teachers are expected to report Feb. 8.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Jan 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some
Philadelphia public school students will be eligible to return to classrooms in
late February, nearly a full year after COVID-19 shut buildings — but before
teachers are fully vaccinated. About 9,000 prekindergarten through second-grade
students can come back two days a week beginning Feb. 22, Superintendent
William R. Hite Jr. said Wednesday. Their teachers are expected to report Feb.
8 to begin preparations for in-person learning. Many of Philadelphia’s 120,000
students are low-income, have special needs, are English-language learners, or
vulnerable in other ways, and the pandemic has hit them especially hard,
meaning a safe return to school is imperative, Hite said. “Escalating violence
and feelings of isolation are all tragic consequences of the pandemic, further
threatening the health and well-being of our young people,” he said. “Resuming
in-person learning opportunities is a crucial step to help restore a
much-needed sense of familiarity, community, and connectedness for students and
families.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-covid-teacher-vaccines-20210127.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-covid-teacher-vaccines-20210127.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia plans
hybrid school reopening next month<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Plan calls
for students to come back two days a week, in shifts<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 27, 2021, 12:15pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The School
District of Philadelphia plans to open school buildings to students in
prekindergarten through second grade next month for a mix of in-person and
digital learning, Superintendent William Hite announced Wednesday. Students are
due to return Feb. 22, with staff expected to start preparing on Feb. 8. Hite
presented similar plans last summer to reopen schools in September, and again
to start in November. Both times, the plans were delayed, the first time after
bitter opposition from parents and teachers, and then primarily by a late fall
surge in cases of the coronavirus. The prolonged absence of most of the city’s
children from school, now approaching a year, is taking its toll on the city
and on families, Hite said, declaring that it is time to start phasing in
hybrid learning as a start to restoring normalcy. Teachers and others have been
doing “heroic” work to educate children virtually, Hite said. But “We know that
children, especially our youngest learners, and those with complex needs, learn
best in person,” he said. “We also know that being out of school buildings has
not been easy for far too many of our students and their families...we have an
obligation and we must take action now.” The youngest children, those learning
to read, are especially vulnerable to learning loss, Hite said. Hite said that
he hoped additional groups of students, starting with those with complex needs,
including English learners and children with disabilities, will be able to
phase back into some in-person learning by March, adding that all future plans
“will be guided by science.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/27/22252506/philadelphia-plans-hybrid-school-reopening-next-month"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/27/22252506/philadelphia-plans-hybrid-school-reopening-next-month</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly plans to offer
in-person K-2 classes in February — making third attempt at reopening<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">For the
third time since the start of the pandemic, Philadelphia’s public school system
unveiled a plan to bring some students back to classrooms. The School District
of Philadelphia announced Wednesday that some students in pre-K through grade 2
would return to their buildings twice a week starting on Feb. 22. All staff
required to make that transition would report on Feb. 8. The roughly 120,000
students in Pennsylvania’s largest school district have not had the option to
learn in person since last March — more than 10 months ago. “Some of our most
vulnerable students, including younger learners, are at risk of falling
behind,” said Superintendent Dr. William Hite in a statement. “Escalating
violence and feelings of isolation are all tragic consequences of the pandemic,
further threatening the health and well-being of our young people. Resuming
in-person learning opportunities is a crucial step to help restore a
much-needed sense of familiarity, community and connectedness for students and
families.” The district </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-school-board-punts-on-reopening-plan-after-backlash-during-marathon-meeting/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">attempted
to reopen schools</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in August, but ran into stiff community
opposition. Officials abandoned a second attempt </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-cancels-plan-to-return-students-to-classrooms-as-covid-19-cases-rise/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">later
in the fall</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> because of rising </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/coronavirus/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">COVID-19</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> case numbers. During that second
attempt, school leaders asked K-2 parents if they wanted their children to
attend school twice per week in person or if they wanted their children to
continue learning online only.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-plans-to-offer-in-person-k-2-classes-in-february-making-third-attempt-at-reopening/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/philly-plans-to-offer-in-person-k-2-classes-in-february-making-third-attempt-at-reopening/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alliance for
Philadelphia Public Schools Calls on Board to Reject Hite Reopening Plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alliance for
Philadelphia Public Schools website appsphilly.net January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Members of
the grass-roots Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools have called on the
Board of Education to reject the reopening plan presented by Superintendent
William Hite Wednesday. The Board, which approved a version of the plan months
ago, would have to place the Item on Thursday’s Action Meeting agenda. “Dr.
Hite’s plan is not based on current data or evidence, or even the District’s
own information,” said APPS Coordinator Lisa Haver. “The updates presented
monthly to the Board of Education from Dr. Hite and the Chief Operations
Officer still do not say that District buildings are ready for reopening.
Inadequate ventilation remains an issue, and in many buildings, windows do not
open at all.” “Solicited testimonials from school officials who serve under Dr.
Hite or from representatives of the business community are not a substitute for
facts and data”, said Haver. “The Board must fulfill its obligation to the
families and educators of the District by rejecting this plan and considering
reopening only when buildings are adequately ventilated and all personnel are
vaccinated. The Board cannot sit by while the health and safety of children and
adults are given less than full consideration by the Hite
administration.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://appsphilly.net/2021/01/27/alliance-for-philadelphia-public-schools-calls-on-board-to-reject-hite-reopening-plan/amp/?__twitter_impression=true"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://appsphilly.net/2021/01/27/alliance-for-philadelphia-public-schools-calls-on-board-to-reject-hite-reopening-plan/amp/?__twitter_impression=true</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Social distancing
guidelines an issue for some districts as CDC says schools could reopen for
in-person learning<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WFMZ 69 News
by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wfmz.com/users/profile/Bo%20Koltnow"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bo Koltnow</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 27, 2021 Updated 52 min ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For Parkland
School District Mom Melissa Kane, every day brings homework. "When I get
home, I have to be vigilant to check everything to make sure it's done. If they
have questions trying to help them out," she said. Her boys are in a
hybrid system. Two days in class, three days at home. "Are you counting
down the days till they are back full time in class?" I asked her. "Yes
I am," she said. On Tuesday, the CDC gave the green light for schools to
make that happen. But caveats come with the COVID curriculum. Masks must be
worn, and 6-foot social distancing must be maintained at all times. "We've
been in person since the beginning of the year," said David
Helsel, superintendent of Schuylkill County's Blue Mountain School
District. Helsel adds students can be full time, in-person, or virtual
and adds bumps have happened along the way. "Actually, right now our high
school and Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona are both virtual through
today," he said. It's the result of a COVID outbreak that Helsel said
happened in the community, not at school. He does admit proper social
distancing isn't always followed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/social-distancing-guidelines-an-issue-for-some-districts-as-cdc-says-schools-could-reopen-for/article_7131ee3e-60f1-11eb-9ad6-fb9b65596460.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/social-distancing-guidelines-an-issue-for-some-districts-as-cdc-says-schools-could-reopen-for/article_7131ee3e-60f1-11eb-9ad6-fb9b65596460.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">COVID-19 tracking
varies widely among York County schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erin
Bamer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Dispatch January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At least
three York County school districts did not immediately shutter schools
buildings after enough COVID-19 cases were reported to warrant temporary
closures under a state guidance. School districts across York County have
different approaches to documenting active COVID-19 cases, and some are
more transparent than others. Meanwhile, state agencies are largely
relying on the districts to enforce their policies. All 16 York County
school districts signed an attestation form in November in accordance with an
order by Gov. Tom Wolf, agreeing to comply with several state safety
regulations in order to keep their schools open. If the districts did not sign
the form, they would have to operate fully remote until the county no longer
saw substantial COVID-19 spread. One of the regulations requires districts
to close school buildings temporarily when a threshold of COVID-19 cases was
reported within 14-day period, based on the size of the building. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/01/27/covid-19-tracking-varies-widely-among-york-county-schools/4279565001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/01/27/covid-19-tracking-varies-widely-among-york-county-schools/4279565001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">York City school
board seeks more details about Lincoln Charter expansion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/staff/6391694002/erin-bamer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erin
Bamer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Dispatch January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The York
City School District officials peppered Lincoln Charter School staff with
questions about the charter's proposed expansion Tuesday night, but
board members have not yet reached a decision. The district's school board
concluded the second of two public hearings sessions ahead of a vote
expected in February about whether Lincoln Charter School should be
permitted to expand its offerings to middle school students. District
officials used the second public hearing to clarify details and request more specific
information in the charter's expansion plan. Lincoln President and CEO
Leonard Hart, along with several other charter officials, addressed the
majority of the requests, and urged the district to approve the plan. "Whichever
way you go, we will make you proud," Hart said. Board members sought
clarity on the charter's plan for curriculum, special education, accommodation
for students with disabilities, staff salaries and other details not specified
in the application. The board held its first virtual public hearing on the
application Dec. 14. At that hearing, 14 parents, students and
charter employees testified in support of the proposal, which would see Lincoln
Charter School expand its program to serve sixth grade through eighth grade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/01/27/york-city-school-board-seeks-more-details-lincoln-charter-expansion/4270533001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2021/01/27/york-city-school-board-seeks-more-details-lincoln-charter-expansion/4270533001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Retweet about Levine
sparks calls for Upper Perkiomen School Board member's resignation<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/upper-perkiomen-school-district-school-board-call-for-resignation-of-raeann-hofkin-from-upsd-school-board-a3c00bcd-8050-43a7-ba13-d0617cb74181?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_26975841_en-US%3A3&recruiter=46937235&recruited_by_id=dfce0df0-83a9-0130-d922-3c764e04873b&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=share_petition" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">A petition with more than 4,000 signatures</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is calling for the resignation of Upper
Perkiomen School Board member Raeann Hofkin after she retweeted what some
consider transphobic and derogatory remarks about Dr. Rachel Levine. Levine
most recently served as Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health and has been
nominated for a post in the Biden administration. In at least two retweets
provided to MediaNews Group that appear to be from Hofkin's account, which has
since disappeared from Twitter, Levine's status as a transgender person was
mocked. Hofkin responded to an email from MediaNews Group Wednesday by
declining to comment. The petition was started by Rabbi Jennifer Schlosberg, an
Upper Perkiomen graduate, who wrote: "The students, parents, staff and
faculty of our school district need leaders who model values of inclusivity and
acceptance. Doing so makes everyone feel safe. When a member of the school
board publicly broadcasts a message in contrast with these values, it not only
makes our constituents feel unsafe, but also condones that this message is
acceptable. It is not."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/retweet-about-levine-sparks-calls-for-upper-perkiomen-school-board-members-resignation/article_f26bd8ce-60ca-11eb-b8a0-e370f95249cd.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/retweet-about-levine-sparks-calls-for-upper-perkiomen-school-board-members-resignation/article_f26bd8ce-60ca-11eb-b8a0-e370f95249cd.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennridge parents
call for resignation of school board VP Joan Cullen<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/staff/5573447002/chris-ullery/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Chris
Ullery</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Bucks County Courier Times January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday's
Pennridge School Board meeting saw a flood of support and opposition for the
resignation and censuring of Vice President Joan Cullen. Cullen, who has been a
controversial figure in the Upper Bucks district previously, has come under
fire from some parents for her participation in the Jan. 6 pro-Trump rally that
turned into a violent insurrection in the nation’s Capitol. Posts on Facebook,
calling both for and against Cullen's resignation, began spreading Tuesday
afternoon, with plans to fill the 30 audience seats the school board allows
under COVID-19 meeting restrictions. The district would opt to hold the meeting
online only later Tuesday afternoon due to inclement weather. Cullen said prior
to public comments being read aloud Tuesday that she was the central focus of
an online witch-hunt over her political ideals, maintaining she did not
participate in the deadly insurrection after the rally three weeks ago. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"My
attendance at political events and social media communications related to my
other elected positions has no effect on my school board work," Cullen
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/27/joan-cullen-pro-trump-rally-resignation-calls-bucks-county-pennridge/4269373001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/27/joan-cullen-pro-trump-rally-resignation-calls-bucks-county-pennridge/4269373001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Allentown teacher
fights suspension over DC protest<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jason
Moorehead says the school district falsely accused him of being at the Capitol
during the siege.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WITF by Michael
Rubinkam/Associated Press JANUARY 27, 2021 | 4:21 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Allentown)
— One day after the deadly insurrection in Washington, a Pennsylvania school
district announced it was suspending a teacher who, the district asserted, “was
involved in the electoral college protest that took place at the United States
Capitol Building.”Three weeks later, Jason Moorehead is fighting to restore his
reputation and resume teaching after he says the Allentown School District
falsely accused him of being at the Capitol during the siege. The district says
Moorehead’s social media posts about the events of Jan. 6, and not just his presence
in Washington that day, are a focus of its probe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.witf.org/2021/01/27/allentown-teacher-fights-suspension-over-dc-protest/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.witf.org/2021/01/27/allentown-teacher-fights-suspension-over-dc-protest/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">COVID-19 concerns,
December shutdown wreak havoc on high school wrestling conditioning,
participation<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Beaver County
Times by Bill Allmann Times Sports Correspondent January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NEW
SEWICKLEY TWP. — Probably no high school sport has been as affected
by the COVID-19 shutdown as wrestling. The three-week shutdown had a
drastic effect on conditioning in a sport where six minutes of continuous activity
is the standard. Throw in the effect on the number of athletes because of
concerns about spreading the disease through close contact and the
participation numbers are way down. So far down, in fact, that there were five
dual matches held Wednesday night at Freedom’s gym in 90 minutes – and the
Bulldogs still had time to sandwich in their senior night celebration. “Everybody
has a small team this year,” said Freedom coach Jim Covert, whose Bulldogs
captured three wins – over Ambridge, Blackhawk, and Central Valley. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2021/01/27/covid-19-concerns-december-shutdown-wreak-havoc-high-school-wrestling-conditioning-participation/4288137001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2021/01/27/covid-19-concerns-december-shutdown-wreak-havoc-high-school-wrestling-conditioning-participation/4288137001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PIAA doesn’t weigh in
on mask rule enforcement at basketball games<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-keith-groller-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KEITH
GROLLER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL |JAN 27, 2021 AT 7:45
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
three-day suspension of the Liberty boys basketball team by Bethlehem Area
School District superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy for not wearing their masks
properly didn’t come up during Wednesday’s PIAA Board of Control meeting, but
an official from District 2 put the topic front and center before the online
meeting began.Masks are worn by players and coaches at each game, but not
always properly, and that has raised the concerns as the coronavirus pandemic
has continued to impact how high school athletics are held, or if they’re held
at all. Jim Elliott, the newly elected District 2 officials representative, brought
up the topic during the open forum section. “There is a concern about
mask-wearing and several schools throughout the state are using exceptions for
mask-wearing, so they don’t have to wear a mask,” Elliott said. “But in our
league and in many leagues throughout the state, masks are required. The
question is on mask-enforcement. How do we approach it? How do we deal with
it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-spt-piaa-board-of-control-20210128-jukuzukvaveqzi7wqfgrvp4rae-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-spt-piaa-board-of-control-20210128-jukuzukvaveqzi7wqfgrvp4rae-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Suburban Schools Have
Changed Drastically. Our Understanding of Them Has Not<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/corey-mitchell"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Corey Mitchell</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — January 26, 2021 2 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">What comes
to mind when you picture an urban school district? How about a suburban
district? If those images are completely different, you may need to re-evaluate
your answer. Suburban school districts were once mostly white and affluent
spaces outside of city boundaries, but those spaces have undergone significant
demographic shifts—and yet our public understanding of them has not kept up,
argues a leading scholar on race in education. Differences between urban and
suburban districts are less distinct than people think, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://elpa.education.wisc.edu/fac-staff/diamond-john/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">John
Diamond</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, a sociologist of education and the Kellner
Family Distinguished Chair in Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin,
Madison, and two colleagues explain in their recently released study, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0013189X20972676" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Reframing Suburbs: Race, Place and Opportunity in Suburban Educational
Spaces</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Schools in the suburbs are not havens from
issues, such as poverty and educational inequity, that city schools have long
grappled with. Diamond said that makes them ideal locations to study key issues
that communities must confront: economic inequality, white supremacy and why
school segregation still persists nearly 70 years after the U.S. Supreme
Court’s <i>Brown v. Board of Education</i> decision.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/suburban-schools-have-changed-drastically-our-understanding-of-them-has-not/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/leadership/suburban-schools-have-changed-drastically-our-understanding-of-them-has-not/2021/01</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lawmakers Push $75
Billion for Learning Recovery Among Trio of COVID-19 Bills<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — January 28, 2021 6 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Congressional
Democrats are proposing $75 billion over two years to help schools reengage
with missing students, and to help them diagnose and address learning
interruptions and other issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Learning
Recovery Act, which is being introduced Thursday in the U.S. House of
Representatives, is one of three bills lawmakers are rolling out to address
various K-12 education needs. Taken together, they could become part of the
vehicle on Capitol Hill for President Joe Biden’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-call-for-130-billion-in-new-k-12-relief-scaled-up-testing-vaccination-efforts/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">COVID-19
relief plan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for K-12 education. However, they
aren’t written to precisely match all parts of Biden’s blueprint and could also
serve as stand-alone bills. Versions of the other two bills being rolled out
this week were introduced in the last Congress by Democrats. The Save Education
Jobs Act would provide up to $261 billion over 10 years, and would save up to
3.9 million K-12 jobs, according to its supporters, including 2.6 million
teacher jobs as well as positions for social workers, school bus drivers, and
more. And the Reopen and Rebuild the America’s Schools Act would provide $100
billion in federal aid and another $30 billion in bond authority for schools to
upgrade HVAC systems, improve water quality, and otherwise upgrade their
infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/lawmakers-push-75-billion-for-learning-recovery-among-trio-of-covid-19-bills/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/lawmakers-push-75-billion-for-learning-recovery-among-trio-of-covid-19-bills/2021/01</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION
CONVERSATION: An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and
Guardrails” Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will
likely be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions.
What if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its
attention on student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students?
Could that improve the student experience? Would that deliver educational
equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia
Board of Education began consulting with education leaders across the country
to explore this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and
Guardrails. The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee
Huang, as both “obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite
called it a “game changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might
mean for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-34751623668564362652021-01-27T10:01:00.002-05:002021-01-27T10:01:56.796-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 27, 2021: Cyber Charter Funding Recap; COVID Update<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cyber Charter Funding
Recap; COVID Update<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA School Funding Lawsuit Overview for the Lehigh Valley Community</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jan 27, 2021 07:00 PM <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join attorneys from the Public Interest Law Center and Education Law
Center for an overview of Pennsylvania's historic school funding lawsuit and
learn how you can help support the school funding Pennsylvania's children need.
Registration: <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania’s school
funding system is broken. It is unfair and inadequate. PA ranks 44th in state
share for education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Schools Work
School District Data Website<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania has the widest funding gap
between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the country,
with the wealthiest school districts spending 33% more on each student
than the poorest districts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most Pennsylvania public schools are
inadequately funded. As a result, four of every five of the state’s school
districts, serving 1.4 million students, are not getting their fair state
share. Nearly half of school districts are spending below the amount
needed to educate students. That underspending is a direct result of
inadequate state support.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That means lost opportunities for
students to participate in valuable science, technology, and math
programs; receive enough personal attention from their teachers due to
growing class sizes; get extra help when they need it; have access to
up-to-date books and technology; or participate in vocational training and
extracurricular activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">View and
download individual school district data sheets by using the tools below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://paschoolswork.org/school-district-data/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://paschoolswork.org/school-district-data/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Ulmer pointed out that the formula used
to determine funding for cyber/charter schools is designed for brick and mortar
schools. “If they’re doing it online…I can do it online a whole lot cheaper.
They’re still getting money as if they were turning on lights and building a
building and heating the building and putting carpet in the building and
whatever else you need for the building,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“They’re getting paid to run a building
and they’re not running a building,” he added. Ulmer indicated that he had
shared the information with local legislators and that they were “shocked.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cyber, charter schooling
may cost Jersey Shore School District $3.2M this year<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Williamsport
Sun Gazette by PAT CROSSLEY pcrossley@sungazette.com JAN 27, 2021 <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JERSEY SHORE
— If the number of students from the Jersey Shore Area School District
attending cyber/charter schools holds at about 200 for the rest of the school
year, the district will spend $3.2 million for their education, according to
figures compiled by Dr. Brian Ulmer, superintendent. Ulmer’s data showed that
figure compares to the $628,000 that will be spent to educate approximately the
same amount of students in the district’s cyber program, JSOL,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ulmer shared
the information with the district’s school board at their meeting Monday night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The cost of
educating a student in either special or regular education in the district’s
program is $3,000 per student per year, while the cost for educating a special
education student in the cyber/charter school setting is $25,849 per year and
in regular education the cost is $12,266 per student per year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.sungazette.com/sports/local-sports/2021/01/cyber-charter-schooling-may-cost-jersey-shore-school-district-3-2m-this-year/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.sungazette.com/sports/local-sports/2021/01/cyber-charter-schooling-may-cost-jersey-shore-school-district-3-2m-this-year/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How much is your district paying for
charter tuition? Why do cyber charters receive the same tuition from taxpayers
that brick and mortar charters receive when cybers have none of the brick and
mortar related expenses?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter School
Tuition Rates by School District<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA
Department of Education Website<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
following documents list charter school tuition rates for regular education and
special education students for each school district in the state, based upon their
completed PDE-363 forms:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Charter%20School%20Funding/CSFunding%20SelExp%202020-2021.xlsx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2020-21
rates based on PDE-363s received by PDE</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Excel)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Charter%20School%20Funding/CSFunding%20SelExp%202019-2020.xlsx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2019-20
rates based on PDE-363s received by PDE</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Excel)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Pages/Charter-School-Funding.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Charter%20Schools/Pages/Charter-School-Funding.aspx</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reprise March 2019: Are
Pa. school districts paying too much for cyber charter students?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by
Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Updated: March 14, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Moving to
Northeast Philadelphia three years ago, Rebecca Penglase had reservations about
sending her son to a traditional school. Caleb, then 7, needed speech therapy
and had experienced bullying at his school in New Jersey — a situation Penglase
wanted to avoid. She was also concerned that a cousin’s child with speech
issues was placed in a special-education class in a Philadelphia public school.
“I didn’t want that to happen for my son. I didn’t want him to fall in the
cracks,” Penglase said. She enrolled him in a cyber charter school, which
enables him to do his schoolwork at home. More than 34,000 children across
Pennsylvania attend cyber charter schools that are managed by independent
operators. Tuition is free, but school districts pay the bills. A cyber charter
student costs a district the same as one attending a brick-and-mortar charter. Penglase
and other parents say the cybers are refuges from what they view as
less-than-ideal learning environments of some conventional classrooms. But the
funding system, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.philly.com/philly/education/20151028_Study__cyber_charters_failing_their_students.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">along with the academic struggles of cyber charters</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, is at the core of the years-long debate
over whether they are wise investments for taxpayers. “The taxpayers are being
fleeced by this model in most cases,” said Greg Richmond, CEO of the National
Association of Charter School Authorizers, a group that says it supports
high-quality charters. Although previous efforts to revamp Pennsylvania’s cyber
funding have failed, advocates hope this year is different. They are
publicizing the cyber-charter costs to each district — nearly $68 million for
Philadelphia — and pushing for a statewide standard for a lower tuition rate,
saying </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.philly.com/news/wolf-education-budget-pennsylvania-school-funding-formula-20190223.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">increasingly cash-strapped school districts </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">can’t afford the current system.'<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-cyber-charter-schools-costs-performance-20190314.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-cyber-charter-schools-costs-performance-20190314.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Virtual Reality:
Cyber Charter Schools and The Need for Reform</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania
Bar Association Quarterly, January 2021 By SUSAN L. DEJARNATT, Philadelphia
County Member of the Pennsylvania Bar<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Susan L.
DeJarnatt is a Professor of Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ABSTRACT
Pennsylvania needs to reform its system for funding cyber charter schools. The
fourteen cyber charters draw students and tuition dollars from nearly every
public school district across the state, but those districts have no say in
authorizing or overseeing cyber charters. Though the cybers are a financial
drain on the districts, they are money makers for their operators due to
weaknesses in the Charter School Law. First, the Charter School Law (CSL)
directs the districts to remit the exact same per pupil funding to a cyber
charter as they do to a bricks and mortar charter, even though the costs of
running a cyber are much lower. Second, the per pupil payment a district must
provide to the charter is based on the per pupil spending of that sending district,
not on the charter’s cost to educate the student. Finally, cybers, like all
charters, receive much higher payments for students with special education
needs, but cybers, like all charters, have no obligation to spend that extra
money on special education. The CLS should be revised to account for the true
costs of operating cyber charter schools and to provide for a voice for
districts in the oversight and accountability of these programs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pabar.org/pdf/2021/PBA-Quarterly-CyberCharterSchools.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pabar.org/pdf/2021/PBA-Quarterly-CyberCharterSchools.pdf</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reprise December
2020: New Pa. data shows how the pandemic gave a big boost to cyber charter
schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> December 8, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New data
from Pennsylvania’s Department of Education shows that the pandemic has caused
a small, but significant enrollment decline at traditional public schools,
while increasing the share of cyber charter students. It’s also revealed an
interesting divide. While public schools in urban and suburban counties have
lost students, schools in more rural counties have largely tread water. Overall, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/DataAndReporting/Enrollment/Pages/PublicSchEnrReports.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">preliminary
enrollment data shows a 1.7% drop</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in total public school enrollment,
which equates to about 30,000 students statewide. The dip was more pronounced
in kindergarten, where enrollment fell from 115,275 students last year to
110,803 students in 2020 — nearly a 4% decline. One type of public school has
gotten more popular, though: the state’s cyber charter schools. Enrollment in
the publicly funded but privately managed online schools jumped from 38,266 to
60,890. That’s a 59% enrollment spike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/new-pa-data-shows-how-the-pandemic-gave-a-big-boost-to-cyber-charter-schools/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/new-pa-data-shows-how-the-pandemic-gave-a-big-boost-to-cyber-charter-schools/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reprise September
2020: Cyber charters may benefit from pandemic, but that doesn’t mean their
students do | Editorial<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Schools that
have already established online learning must seem like attractive and obvious
options to parents. But that’s worrisome, for a number of reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Editorial Board</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Sep 9, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Every
disaster has winners and losers, but this pandemic has inflicted more loss than
most — in terms of both lives and livelihoods. COVID-19 has also produced
winners who have benefited from the pandemic as a result of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/5dmqyk/naomi-klein-interview-on-coronavirus-and-disaster-capitalism-shock-doctrine" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">disaster capitalism</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, or just
good timing. They include Amazon, Zoom, and Netflix. They also include Pennsylvania’s
14 cyber charter schools which are, according to some reports, seeing
skyrocketing interest and increased enrollment. It’s too early for the
Pennsylvania Department of Education to have official tallies of cyber
enrollment for this school session, but many districts have seen increases in
interest in cyber charters. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-reopening-discovery-charter-first-day-20200831.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The School District of Philadelphia</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> says cyber enrollment could be up by 18%,
which could mean 1,200 more students. As districts struggle to find a clear
path to providing public education, those schools that have already established
online learning must seem like attractive and obvious options to parents. But
that’s worrisome, for a number of reasons. Last year, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-cyber-charter-schools-costs-performance-20190314.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the state spent $463 million to educate 30,000 cyber students</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Cyber charters get the same per-pupil
allocation from districts as brick-and-mortar charters, even though their costs
are far lower.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/cyber-charter-schools-pennsylvania-covid-academic-performance-20200909.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/cyber-charter-schools-pennsylvania-covid-academic-performance-20200909.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Why is there more than a $7,000 excess
cost for cyber-tuition for regular education students and more than a $20,000
excess cost for cyber-tuition for special education students when comparing
district-run cyber programs with cyber charter programs? Why should taxpayers
be funding cyber-tuition at the same rate as brick-and-mortar charters when the
cyber charters have none of the expenses associated with buildings?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reprise June 2020: After
20 years it’s past time for the Legislature to act on cyber-charter school
funding reform | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star Commentary by Lawrence A. Feinberg </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> June 16, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With the
anticipated loss of revenue facing school districts due to COVID-19, now, more
than ever, the Pennsylvania Legislature must grab the bull by the horns and
reform the way that cyber-charter schools are funded. Cyber-charters may be a
great fit for some highly motivated, self-disciplined students or those with
very involved parents or guardians. But overall, by any measure, after 20 years
the state’s cyber-charters have consistently underperformed. Generally
speaking, cyber-students are not learning, and taxpayers are paying twice what
they reasonably should, with the excess funds being taken away from all the
other students remaining in a school district when a parent chooses to send
their child to a cyber-charter. Responding to parents’ concerns about returning
to school buildings in September, cyber-charters will be spending your tax
dollars on advertising, trying to convince parents that the education they
offer is better than what your student might receive if they stay in their own
district.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/after-20-years-its-past-time-for-the-legislature-to-act-on-cyber-charter-school-funding-reform-opinion/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/after-20-years-its-past-time-for-the-legislature-to-act-on-cyber-charter-school-funding-reform-opinion/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">LETTER: The facts
about charter schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West Chester
Daily Local Letter by Leanne Valentine, Exton Jan 26, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is in
response to editorial in the Daily Local News on Jan. 25 about charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While I
respect your right to an opinion about charter schools, I do not respect or
appreciate your insistence on repeating inaccurate information. Charter schools
are held to the same standards as public schools – their students take the same
standardized tests, and they are required to meet the same standards, including
year over year improvement, as the public schools. Their records are just as
open as the records of public schools, including their board meetings. Charter
schools are public schools. The primary difference between charters and public
schools is that charters rely on public schools for their funding. Charter
school funding is based on the amount of money public schools spend per pupil
on regular and special education funding, but charter schools receive only 75
percent of that funding – which means public schools keep 25 percent. Charter
schools are not able to tax residents to raise additional money and must
provide all services with the 75 percent funding level, including paying for
buildings, teacher salaries and retirement benefits, counseling, special
education services, etc. – all the same expenses that public schools incur. Also,
saying that a school district can provide a “cyber class” at $5,000 ignores all
the other expenses that go into offering that class; public schools can ignore
those expenses, because the $5,000 is in addition to the money they spend on
office space, computers, and staff. The inaccurate facts in your opinion column
need to be corrected and a more balance view of charter schools would be
appreciated. You are doing a disservice to the families who choose charters,
because they believe a charter school is a better option for their child.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.dailylocal.com/opinion/letter-the-facts-about-charter-schools/article_677fb3fc-5fd0-11eb-a0c3-4bde37945d86.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.dailylocal.com/opinion/letter-the-facts-about-charter-schools/article_677fb3fc-5fd0-11eb-a0c3-4bde37945d86.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“There will be plenty of opportunities
to do so this year, since just days after the election, Yass moved </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://apps.phila.gov/campaign-finance/pdf/v2/eyJmaWxlTmFtZSI6IlN0dWRlbnRzIEZpcnN0IFBBQyAvIDYgVGhpcnR5IERheSBQb3N0LUdlbmVyYWwiLCJmUmVwb3J0Ijo0MTc5fQ=="><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">$9 million to Students First PAC</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><u><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">,</span></u></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> which
promptly moved nearly all of that to Brouillette and the Commonwealth
Children’s Choice Fund.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who is Jeffrey Yass?
And why is he such a big problem for Pennsylvania? | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star Commentary By Eric Rosso </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Eric Rosso
is the executive director of </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="http://www.paspotlight.org/about-us/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pennsylvania Spotlight</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, a progressive advocacy organization based
in Pittsburgh.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania
has a Jeffrey Yass problem.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">While
right-wing billionaires such as the Kochs, the DeVos family, and the Mercers
have tended to dominate discussion of the corrupting influence of big money in
politics, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/this-billionaires-plan-co_b_13963394"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pennsylvania
has become a playground</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for
Jeffrey Yass and his untold billions. Yass is the co-founder and managing
director of Montgomery County-based Susquehanna International Group. But he’s
more ubiquitously known as a sugar daddy and sole funder for many elected
officials and political front groups throughout Pennsylvania. His political
handouts have recently come </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/15/trump-republicans-election-defeat-club-for-growth"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">under
intense scrutiny</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for their role in funding the coup
attempt by extremists that left five dead, including a police officer, in the
wake of the most violent attempt to overthrow our democracy since the 1800s. And
rightfully so. Yass showed no remorse for the death and destruction the world
witnessed that day, only offering a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/josh-hawley-billionaire-deceived-election-objections-capitol-attack"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">comment</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> through former stock broker Laura
Goldman, where he had the audacity to play the victim, saying he was </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/laurasgoldman/status/1350589771958153217?s=20"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“deceived</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">” by the elected officials he had funded, who
included Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, of Missouri.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/who-is-jeffrey-yass-and-why-is-he-such-a-big-problem-for-pennsylvania-opinion/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/who-is-jeffrey-yass-and-why-is-he-such-a-big-problem-for-pennsylvania-opinion/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Wolf honors
the work of school directors<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 27, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Citing the
meaningful contributions that school boards make on behalf of public education
and students, Governor Tom Wolf has proclaimed January 2021 as School Director
Recognition Month. “Being an effective school director is a difficult task, particularly
in the challenging times we live in due to the global pandemic caused by
COVID-19. By making meaningful contributions to public education, the dedicated
members of local school boards have greatly enhanced the quality of life in our
state through their actions and decisions on behalf of our students,” the
governor said in his proclamation. “I encourage all Pennsylvanians to join me
in this special observance to acknowledge the leadership of school directors in
supporting a public school system from which the entire commonwealth benefits.”
Click </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/School-Director-Recognition-Month-2021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to read the proclamation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/governor-wolf-honors-the-work-of-school-directors/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/governor-wolf-honors-the-work-of-school-directors/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania Gov.
Wolf says state needs millions more COVID-19 vaccine doses from federal
government just to complete current phase: ‘A big concern’ for all states<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/ford-turner-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">FORD
TURNER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | JAN 26, 2021 AT 7:57
PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG —
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday said he is frustrated with the federal
government’s coronavirus vaccine rollout, arguing Pennsylvania needs 6.5
million more doses just to complete the full immunization of everyone in the
state’s current phase. Wolf, speaking at a news briefing, said the state by the
end of the week will have received 1.5 million doses of vaccine from the
federal government. But the current phase of the state’s vaccination plan was
greatly expanded last week to cover more than 4 million people, which means
more than 8 million doses would be needed to complete the two-dose regimen for
all those people. “One of the big constraints that we are all working under is
the lack of supply and that is facing states all across the country,” Wolf
said. “That’s frustrating and it is a big concern for all of us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wolf-vaccine-jan26-20210126-c723jsdwxvg2pdnja5ogzx6w3q-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wolf-vaccine-jan26-20210126-c723jsdwxvg2pdnja5ogzx6w3q-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘I’m on my own’:
Teachers, schools struggle amid ongoing COVID-19 crisis<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reopening
meant major changes to scheduling, sanitation and even the physical layout of
Middletown schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/wmckelvey/posts.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wallace
McKelvey | WMckelvey@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated January 27, 20215:30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">“WAS IT
COVID?”</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One veteran
teacher of the Middletown Area School District explains her thought process: “I
just spoke to so-and-so in the hall. Do I have it now?” Fear spreads virulently
as students and staff vanish without explanation from Pennsylvania’s K-12
schools this bleak midwinter. One year into the pandemic, teachers and support
staff say they feel set adrift without a lifeline. They have little recourse
when schools fail to follow safety guidelines because school boards and
administrators, who are themselves struggling under budget deficits and staff
shortages, have no incentive to admit fault. Staff members from three different
school districts told PennLive that complaints lodged with local and state
officials went ignored. Others said they didn’t file formal complaints out of
fear of reprisal. “What’s so depressing to hear is that ‘Who cares’ mindset,”
one Cumberland County teacher said. “Where it’s like ‘who cares; it doesn’t
really matter what we’re doing anyway.’” It didn’t take long for teachers in
Middletown to learn that the district, which at various times halted in-person
classes this fall and winter, wasn’t counting presumed-positives in its
coronavirus case counts. State guidelines called for the school in question to
close for at least three days if a second case emerged within 14 days. That
realization led to more worries: Some staff members seemed to ignore the mask
mandate with impunity. Then rumors spread that parents weren’t notifying the
district of known exposures and that janitors were diluting their limited
supply of disinfectant. “It seems there’s a lot of corner-cutting and
loopholes,” one classroom aide said. “That may be totally fine. Maybe they are
following the rules. But lives are at stake.” At least some of these fears, it
turns out, were grounded in reality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/im-on-my-own-teachers-schools-struggle-amid-ongoing-covid-19-crisis.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/im-on-my-own-teachers-schools-struggle-amid-ongoing-covid-19-crisis.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CDC officials say
schools can be safe if precautions taken in the community<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Post Gazette
by RONI CARYN RABIN The New York Times JAN 27, 2021 7:24 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Open
schools. Close indoor dining.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When to keep
schools open, and how to do so, has been an issue plaguing the response by the
United States to the pandemic since its beginning. President Biden vowed to
“teach our children in safe schools” in his inaugural address. On Tuesday,
federal health officials weighed in with a call for returning children to the
nation’s classrooms as soon as possible, saying the “preponderance of available
evidence” indicates that in-person instruction can be carried out safely as
long as mask-wearing and social distancing are maintained. But local officials
also must be willing to impose limits on other settings — like indoor dining,
bars or poorly ventilated gyms — in order to keep infection rates low in the
community at large, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention said in the journal JAMA and in a follow-up interview.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/27/C-D-C-study-schools-safe-community-covid-precautions-social-distancing-masks/stories/202101270115"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/27/C-D-C-study-schools-safe-community-covid-precautions-social-distancing-masks/stories/202101270115</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Covid-19 Spread
Appears Limited in Schools When Precautions Followed, CDC Says<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Report says
that schools might be safe to open with mitigation efforts<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wall Street Journal
By Brianna Abbott Updated Jan. 26, 2021 6:47 pm ET<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/latest-updates/covid?mod=article_inline" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">spread of Covid-19</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> appears
to be limited within schools when masking and other safety precautions are
implemented, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7004e3.htm?s_cid=mm7004e3_w" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">according to a report</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention released on Tuesday. Health officials looked at Covid-19
transmission in K-12 schools in Wood County, Wis., which suggested that
“schools might be able to safely open with appropriate mitigation efforts in
place,” according to the CDC report summary. The schools had a number of
mitigation measures in place, the report said, including an estimated masking
compliance of more than 92% among students. Class sizes ranged from 11 to 20
students, and different cohorts of students rarely interacted. Staff members
were told to wear masks and keep 6 feet away from others. Among the 5,530
students and staff members across 17 schools, a total of 191 Covid-19 cases
were reported from Aug. 31 through Nov. 29. Based on individual case
investigations, only seven cases, or 3.7%, were attributed to in-school
transmission, all of which were students. Meanwhile, between 7% and 40% of
tests in the surrounding communities were coming back positive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-spread-appears-limited-in-schools-when-safety-precautions-followed-cdc-says-11611697861"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-spread-appears-limited-in-schools-when-safety-precautions-followed-cdc-says-11611697861</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I can’t help but think this is the next
great competition of those who have the resources, the haves and have-nots,”
said Dan McGarry, the superintendent of the Upper Darby School District.
“That’s not really the way the system should work.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Philly private
school got COVID-19 vaccines for its teachers. Then its clinic was canceled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Springside
Chestnut Hill Academy’s aborted effort to vaccinate its staff highlighted the
confusion and potential for inequity surrounding the hopes for protection from
COVID-19 for school personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/laughlin_jason/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jason Laughlin</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It took
hustle, but Heather Orman-Lubell, medical consultant at the Philadelphia
private school Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, was thrilled to secure hundreds
of COVID-19 vaccine doses for teachers and staff through a Montgomery County
pharmacy. As recently as Monday morning, Orman-Lubell was looking forward to
Friday, when Wellness Pharmacy in Horsham was to inoculate about 250 Springside
staff and their eligible family members. Shots also would go to about 100
personnel from Community Partnership School, a private elementary school for
low-income<b> </b>children, and that institution’s preschool, she said. Hours
later, though, state health officials shut down the plan, she said, citing
rules about vaccine eligibility. “It’s so hard trying to do something good,”
she said, “and being shut down because of red tape.” Before getting nixed, word
of Springside’s plan had trickled out to public school teachers, who questioned
how a private school was able to get vaccine doses while they had been told to
expect to wait at least a month. Immunization promises a return to normalcy for
staff and students. But confusing messages, shifting vaccination priorities,
and ambiguity over how schools are supposed to obtain doses are setting off a
frantic search for solutions, as well as worries about equitable treatment for
all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/covid-vaccine-schools-pennsylvania-springside-chestnut-hill-philadelphia-20210127.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/covid-vaccine-schools-pennsylvania-springside-chestnut-hill-philadelphia-20210127.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nine COVID-19
outbreaks in 100-plus Philly private schools since the fall, health department
says<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 26, 2021, 5:10pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">After five
months of in-person instruction in more than 100 private schools in
Philadelphia, health officials report nine outbreaks of COVID-19. Among 1,700
operating day care centers, there have been 11 outbreaks, said James Garrow, a
spokesman for the city Department of Health. The experiences of the 125 to 150
parochial and private schools that opened could be instructive for the School
District of Philadelphia, whose leaders are considering how to reopen public
schools to a limited group of students for in-person instruction. Superintendent
William Hite is plans to announce Wednesday a limited hybrid reopening plan for
Philadelphia district schools. Hite has said he would like to bring back
students in prekindergarten to second grade. Hite decided twice before to</span></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2020/11/10/21558568/philadelphia-again-delays-start-of-in-person-learning"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> abandon
plans</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for some in-person learning after an
outcry from parents and teachers over the summer and then a surge of the virus
in November.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/26/22251174/nine-covid-19-outbreaks-in-100-plus-philly-private-schools-health-department-says"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/26/22251174/nine-covid-19-outbreaks-in-100-plus-philly-private-schools-health-department-says</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Area students return
to hybrid learning after weeks of virtual instruction<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania
Secretary of Education Noe Ortega earlier this month encouraged districts to
offer some in-person instruction to elementary school students.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/staff/5460693002/chrissy-suttles/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Chrissy
Suttles</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Beaver County Times January 26, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Students in
Beaver and Lawrence counties returned to blended in-person and remote learning
this week, with others likely to make the transition in February. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania’s
Department of Education urged school administrators to implement full remote
learning in late November following high COVID-19 transmission rates in
multiple counties. Most local districts – reporting several positive cases in
staff and students – abided by the guidance. Acting Secretary of Education Noe
Ortega earlier this month encouraged districts to offer some in-person
instruction to elementary pupils as early as Jan. 25 if proper social
distancing and sanitizing efforts are in place. The state also
recommended in-person instruction be offered to students with disabilities and
those learning English, and advised schools to move younger
students to a blended model of learning. People under 18 years old are
less likely to experience severe COVID-19 complications, said former
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, although they can still
transmit the virus to more vulnerable populations. Pennsylvania’s
COVID-19 percent positivity rate has dropped for six consecutive weeks, falling
to 10.5% from Jan. 15-21, down from 12.7% the week prior. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/01/26/area-students-return-hybrid-learning/4250653001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/01/26/area-students-return-hybrid-learning/4250653001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With COVID-19 metrics
improving, in-person learning returning to more area schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wilkes Barre
Citizens Voice </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/users/profile/mbuffer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
MICHAEL P. BUFFER STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 25, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Weekly
COVID-19 metrics are improving in Luzerne County, and students at the West Side
Career and Technology Center are going back to in-person classes Thursday under
a hybrid plan. The high school’s joint-operating committee had a virtual
meeting Monday night. Also on Monday, Dallas and Wyoming Valley West school
districts resumed hybrid learning plans with in-person instruction. The hybrid
plans mix online and in-person instruction for two groups of students to
decrease the number of students inside at the same time. Dallas, Wyoming Valley
West and the career center in Pringle have been providing fully remote
instruction for more than eight weeks in response to a surge of COVID-19 in
Luzerne County. The latest seven-day total of COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County
was 938, down from 1,175 over the previous seven-day period, and test
positivity dropped from 13.4% to 11.9%. Luzerne County’s daily average of
COVID-19 hospitalizations over the seven days — Jan. 15 through Thursday — was
130.6, up from 120.6. The county incidence rate was 295.5 cases per 100,000
residents, down from 370.2. A county has substantial transmission when the test
positivity rate is at least 10% or the COVID-19 incidence rate is at least 100
cases per 100,000 residents over seven days. The state had recommended
all-virtual learning for schools in counties with substantial transmission for
two consecutive weeks but this month changed the guidance to approve of
in-person instruction for elementary-school students in counties with
substantial transmission. The state guidance is not a mandate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/with-covid-19-metrics-improving-in-person-learning-returning-to-more-area-schools/article_ca1f983b-dbe4-5318-8d5a-7d4eb496e5e7.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/with-covid-19-metrics-improving-in-person-learning-returning-to-more-area-schools/article_ca1f983b-dbe4-5318-8d5a-7d4eb496e5e7.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Spring-Ford closes
school building for 14 days due to in-school COVID transmission<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A potential
in-school transmission of the COVID-19 virus has forced the closure of a
Spring-Ford Area School District building for 14 days. The Montgomery County
Health Department notified the district Monday afternoon of one case of
in-school transmission of COVID-19 related to the district's 5/6/7 Grade
Center. As a result, the building was closed starting Tuesday and all students
and staff moved to online learning for the next 14 days. This closure is
different than previous closures which occur when there is a "community
transmission" of someone in a building and the rules allow for the
building to be closed for only a few days while it is thoroughly cleaned. Because
this transmission is believed to have occurred among people while in the school
building, a more stringent set of rules is applied and the 14-day closure is as
much to accommodate the viral incubation and contagious period and ensure no
one develops symptoms, as to clean the building, which can typically be done
within two days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/spring-ford-closes-school-building-for-14-days-due-to-in-school-covid-transmission/article_7312b956-6013-11eb-a5a0-cb623e98076f.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/spring-ford-closes-school-building-for-14-days-due-to-in-school-covid-transmission/article_7312b956-6013-11eb-a5a0-cb623e98076f.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION
CONVERSATION: An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and
Guardrails” Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will
likely be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions.
What if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its
attention on student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students?
Could that improve the student experience? Would that deliver educational
equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia
Board of Education began consulting with education leaders across the country
to explore this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and
Guardrails. The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee
Huang, as both “obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite
called it a “game changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might
mean for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-66015848672972223452021-01-26T08:36:00.000-05:002021-01-26T08:36:07.643-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 26, 2021 “The Yass family has a long history of donating to Republican politicians and conservative causes. They also are among the largest donors to Pennsylvania’s school choice movement.”<p></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 26, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The Yass family has
a long history of donating to Republican politicians and conservative causes.
They also are among the largest donors to Pennsylvania’s school choice
movement.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As the Trump era
ends, the school choice movement reckons with its conservative ties<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 26, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">When
Philadelphia-area mega-donors Jeff and Janine Yass </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/15/trump-republicans-election-defeat-club-for-growth?CMP=share_btn_tw"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">made
headlines recently</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for their contributions to Republican
politicians — some of whom tried to overturn the presidential election — it
stirred up a familiar debate in local education circles. The Yass family has a
long history of donating to Republican politicians and conservative causes.
They also are among the largest donors to Pennsylvania’s school choice
movement. Therein lies a dilemma that, for some Democrats who support school
choice, has caused increasing bouts of self-reflection. On the ground, many
charter school employees and school choice advocates are left-of-center,
motivated by a desire to shake up an educational system that they see as not
acting urgently enough to help low-income students of color. But the movement’s
growth — and success — has long relied on the political and financial capital
of conservatives, who see school choice as a way to inject free-market thinking
into the educational bureaucracy. None of this is new.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s new
is the reckoning forced by the Trump era, culminating in a violent insurrection
that was fomented by Republican lawmakers — carried out with symbols of the
Confederacy — who, on other days, could be a charter advocate’s best ally. “For
a period of time, this coalition was able to exist without some of the tensions
we’re talking about threatening to rip it apart,” said Mike Wang, a veteran of
the Philadelphia education scene who once headed a leading school choice
advocacy group that lobbied in Harrisburg. Will this unusual alliance survive?
Can it find new political strength under an administration promising
reconciliation and unity? Or will it disintegrate in an era of increasing
political polarity? Those questions loom large now, and the attention now
trained on the Yass family shows why.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/as-the-trump-era-ends-the-school-choice-movement-reckons-with-its-conservative-ties/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/as-the-trump-era-ends-the-school-choice-movement-reckons-with-its-conservative-ties/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No pomp, zero
circumstance: Wolf will deliver virtual budget address<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/stephen-caruso/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Stephen
Caruso</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 25, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalk it up
as another tradition disrupted by COVID-19. Gov. Tom Wolf told legislative
leaders in a letter last Friday that “in an effort to protect the health and
safety of everyone in the Capitol,” he did not plan to appear in person before
all 253 lawmakers for the annual budget address this year. Instead, he
requested time on Feb. 2, when both the House and Senate are in session, to
show a pre-recorded video address to the General Assembly. A spokesperson for
Wolf confirmed the plan, and said more details would be released later this
week. Mike Straub, spokesperson for House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster,
said the House is preparing a plan for the day to allow lawmakers to view the
address from their offices or their districts. Under </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1929/0/0175..PDF"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">state
law</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, the governor must submit to the General
Assembly his annual budget request by the end of the first full week of
February each year. While an in-person address isn’t required by law, it has
become the tradition. Flanked by the state House speaker and lieutenant
governor, the governor normally speaks before the combined House and Senate, as
well as an assortment of dignitaries, officials and guests. The speech, which
usually lists gubernatorial priorities, but is weak on details, kicks off a
five-month sprint to finish the state’s budget by June 30. The address is then
followed by hearings in the House and Senate appropriations
committees. These hearings give lawmakers a rare chance to directly ask
administration officials and department secretaries questions about anything
from big picture concerns to pet projects.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/no-pomp-zero-circumstance-wolf-will-deliver-virtual-budget-address/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/no-pomp-zero-circumstance-wolf-will-deliver-virtual-budget-address/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Meet Pa. Senate GOP
leader Kim Ward, the first woman to hold that post: ‘I have to do a good job’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/jmurphy/posts.html" title="Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated 5:15 AM; Today 5:15 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kim Ward
didn’t set out to be a politician. She chose to be a respiratory therapist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But when she
crossed paths with a young intern-turned AIDS activist, it sparked an interest
in government and how she could play a role in it. That was a lesson along with
a few others, including ones instilled in her by her 82-year-old mother Joanna
Renko, that helped Ward secure her place in Pennsylvania history. The
southwestern Pennsylvania native has become the first woman in the state to serve
as a majority leader in the General Assembly. Ward, 64, of Westmoreland County,
said breaking glass ceilings was not what drove her to seek that post. It was
more about her being from the western part of the state that was her selling
point. That’s where the state’s Republican base has migrated and where most of
the House and Senate Republicans reside. Last year’s departures of top
Republicans – Mike Turzai of Allegheny County as House speaker and Joe Scarnati
of Jefferson County as Senate president pro tempore – created a void in the
region’s representation in leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/meet-pa-senate-gop-leader-kim-ward-the-first-woman-to-hold-that-post-i-have-to-do-a-good-job.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/meet-pa-senate-gop-leader-kim-ward-the-first-woman-to-hold-that-post-i-have-to-do-a-good-job.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Special elections to
fill vacant House, Senate seats to take place May 18<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/elizabeth-hardison/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Elizabeth
Hardison</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 25, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Two state
lawmakers who succumbed to illnesses this month will be replaced in special
elections on May 18, the same day as Pennsylvania’s spring primary. Lt.
Gov. John Fetterman signed the writ of elections on Monday to convene a special
election that day in the state’s 48th Senate District, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/special-election-date-set-to-fill-seat-left-vacant-by-sen-dave-arnolds-death.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PennLive
reported</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. That seat has been empty since former
Sen. Dave Arnold, R-Lebanon, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-state-sen-david-arnold-has-died-of-brain-cancer-officials-announce/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">died
of brain cancer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on Jan. 17. He was 49 years old. The
winner will serve the remainder of Arnold’s term, which expires in 2022. Leaders
in the state House </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/01/12/Pennsylvania-House-special-election-replace-vacant-seat-death-Rep-Mike-Reese-westmoreland-somerset-primary/stories/202101120137"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">already
have scheduled</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> a special election on May 18 to replace
former state Rep. Mike Reese, R-Westmoreland, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-rep-mike-reese-dies-at-age-42-report/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">who
died of a brain aneurysm</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> on
Jan. 2 at age 42. The May 18 election date will give local party
delegates four months to choose nominees for each race.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/special-elections-to-fill-vacant-house-senate-seats-to-take-place-may-18/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/special-elections-to-fill-vacant-house-senate-seats-to-take-place-may-18/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rift appears between
parents, staff before Pittsburgh Public Schools reopening vote<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:agoldstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">agoldstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JAN 25, 2021 10:15 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Parents say
their children need to be in school for the sake of their education and mental
health. Teachers say it’s too great a risk to bring back students before staff
members can access the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, the Pittsburgh Public Schools
board must decide what to do. Board members Monday evening heard dozens of
testimonials from teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens who
displayed deep disagreements on how the district should handle instruction as
the pandemic continues. This comes as the board is set to vote Wednesday on a
measure that would move the district’s in-person reopening from February to
April. The vast majority of city students have been in a remote instruction
model since mid-March when schools closed in an effort to slow the spread of
the virus. Meanwhile, most other school districts in Allegheny County have had
at least some in-person instruction for their students this school year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/25/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-reopening-PPS-school-board-members-vote-parents/stories/202101250145"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/25/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-reopening-PPS-school-board-members-vote-parents/stories/202101250145</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘You’re already
political’: Post Trump, Philly kids talk civics, school <i>reopening and what’s
next<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In many
ways, we are “living in a very dangerous time,” City Commissioner Al Schmidt
said, but “I don’t think I’ve ever been more hopeful about our democracy and
the future of our republic.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 26, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In a
post-Trump America, just after an insurrection and an inauguration, young
people have questions: Why bother with politics? When will my school reopen?
Was there election fraud?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">City
Councilperson Helen Gym and City Commissioner Al Schmidt are answering some of
them. In a virtual, traveling road show, the pair are meeting with some
Philadelphia students in real time, talking democracy and life. In recent stops
in classes at Masterman and Kensington Health Sciences Academy, high school
students were a little awed by the somewhat unlikely duo of the progressive
Democratic lawmaker — a former public school teacher and community organizer —
and the Republican elections official whose postelection profile was so high he
had spurious election fraud claims personally leveled at him by President
Donald Trump.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-civics-reopening-gym-schmidt-20210126.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-civics-reopening-gym-schmidt-20210126.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly’s beloved
Catholic schools are slowly dying. It doesn’t have to be this way. | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Minimal
financial aid from the state would help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">by Brian
McElwee, For the Inquirer Published Jan 25, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">In the midst
of the pandemic, we are reminded of the difficulties of providing quality
education, as schools across the country struggle with adequate funding to
remain afloat and give students the resources they need. I know this pain
firsthand. As chairman of the board of </span></span></span></span><a href="https://independencemissionschools.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Independence Mission Schools</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> (IMS), last week we announced that St.
Gabriel, one of our 15 grade schools in Philadelphia, would consolidate its
students into St. Thomas Aquinas at the beginning of the next academic year. It
doesn’t have to be this way — yet recently that’s been the trend. In November,
the Archdiocese of Philadelphia shared it will be </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/catholic-school-closing-hallahan-mcdevitt-20201118.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">shutting
the doors</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of two high schools at the end of the school
year. St. Basil Academy in Jenkintown is also </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/st-basil-academy-closing-jenktintown-philadelphia-catholic-school-20201008.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">closing
in 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. The slow but steady decline of enrollment
at private schools is not a new trend, but it has been dramatically accelerated
by the pandemic. Since 1970, there has been a nearly 40% reduction in private
school enrollment. Nobody ever wants to make the difficult decision to close a
school, but there comes a point when it is no longer financially feasible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/st-gabriel-closing-south-philly-catholic-schools-independence-mission-network-20210125.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/st-gabriel-closing-south-philly-catholic-schools-independence-mission-network-20210125.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Liberty team faces
suspension as BASD cracks down on athletes violating COVID rules<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.lehighvalleylive.com/staff/ssatullo/posts.html" title="Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sara K. Satullo | For
lehighvalleylive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Jan 26, 2021; Posted Jan 25,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://topics.lehighvalleylive.com/tag/bethlehem%20area%20school%20board/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bethlehem Area School Board</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> members have a message to their
district athletes: mask up or don’t play. Three board members Monday night said
they were upset to see </span></span></span></span><a href="http://topics.lehighvalleylive.com/tag/bethlehem%20area%20school%20district/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bethlehem Area School District</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> athletes on television and on social
media over the weekend wearing masks under their chin or not covering their
nose, flouting COVID-19 safety rules they all agreed to follow to have a winter
sports season. Their message was clear: playing high school sports in a
pandemic is a privilege, not a guaranteed right. Superintendent Joseph Roy said
after the meeting that the Liberty High School boys basketball team is facing a
three-day suspension of activities for its failure to comply. “I’m trying to
keep this district both safe and open,” Roy said. “I don’t have patience for
anyone not doing their part.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2021/01/liberty-team-faces-suspension-as-basd-cracks-down-on-athletes-violating-covid-rules.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2021/01/liberty-team-faces-suspension-as-basd-cracks-down-on-athletes-violating-covid-rules.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dear Pen Pal:
Erie-area students reach out to older residents with cards, letters<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/staff/5802214002/valerie-myers/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Valerie
Myers</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Erie Times-News January 25, 20201<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pat Koloskee
lives alone in Edinboro and isn't going out much these days. Now cards,
drawings and letters from Edinboro Elementary School students brighten her long
days at home. About 70 General McLane School District students in grades K-12
have become pen pals with older residents in the community. Other schools are
also reaching out. "It's a little bright spot in the day to get these
letters in the mail, and something I look forward to. You never know when a
letter is coming, and when it does, it brightens your day," Koloskee, 80,
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/story/news/education/2021/01/25/erie-county-student-pen-pals-older-neighbors-school-education/4132697001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.goerie.com/story/news/education/2021/01/25/erie-county-student-pen-pals-older-neighbors-school-education/4132697001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden Signs Executive
Order to Boost Food Benefits for Children Missing School Meals<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — January 22, 2021 2 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">An executive
order signed by President Joe Biden is intended to address food insecurity
caused by the pandemic by extending a benefit to a federal nutrition program
and focusing resources on children who have missed meals due to closed schools
over the last several months. The executive order, signed by Biden on Friday,
directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to consider issuing new guidance to
allow states to increase emergency benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (commonly called SNAP) that Congress has approved but have
not been made available to those in need due to the pandemic. In addition, the
executive order asks the USDA to issue guidance increasing Pandemic Electronic
Benefits Transfer (EBT) payments by 15 percent in order to “increase access to
nutritious food for millions of children missing meals due to school closures,”
according to a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/22/fact-sheet-president-bidens-new-executive-actions-deliver-economic-relief-for-american-families-and-businesses-amid-the-covid-19-crises/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">fact sheet about the executive order</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. The administration estimates that this
would provide an additional benefit of $100 to a family of three every two
months. Pandemic EBT was established by a coronavirus relief bill enacted last
March. In addition, Biden is calling on Congress to extend a 15 percent increase
to SNAP benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-signs-executive-order-to-boost-food-benefits-for-children-missing-school-meals/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-signs-executive-order-to-boost-food-benefits-for-children-missing-school-meals/2021/01</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sonny Rollins recorded the iconic soundtrack for Alfie </span></b></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/onthisday?src=hashtag_click"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">#onthisday</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in 1966.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube Alfie’s
Theme Runtime 9:43<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=33JbaBpHic8&list=RDAMVM33JbaBpHic8"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=33JbaBpHic8&list=RDAMVM33JbaBpHic8</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PASBO Data Dive 2.0:
Integrating within Budgeting and Advocacy<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Webinar Tue, Jan 26,
2021 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This web
forum will now provide important information related to the federal
stimulus—both on the funding and policy fronts. We will also review and analyze
PDE published guidance describing variable costs as it relates to pupil
transportation subsidy calculation for school year 2020-2021, payable in fiscal
year 2021-2022. These topics are especially important as you budget and make
decisions both during the pandemic and into 2021-22.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2621454935688010511"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2621454935688010511</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA School Funding
Lawsuit Overview for the Lehigh Valley Community</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jan 27, 2021 07:00 PM
<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join
attorneys from the Public Interest Law Center and Education Law Center for an
overview of Pennsylvania's historic school funding lawsuit and learn how you
can help support the school funding Pennsylvania's children need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Registration:
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION
CONVERSATION: An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and
Guardrails” Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will
likely be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions.
What if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its
attention on student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students?
Could that improve the student experience? Would that deliver educational
equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia
Board of Education began consulting with education leaders across the country
to explore this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and
Guardrails. The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee
Huang, as both “obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite
called it a “game changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might
mean for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-74390620362750887962021-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:002021-01-25T08:00:37.028-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 25, 2021: “Charter schools are a choice every parent has the right to make. But the current system puts an undue financial burden on every taxpayer, who does not have a choice.”<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 25, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk62451179"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Charter schools are a choice every parent has the right to make. But
the current system puts an undue financial burden on every taxpayer, who does
not have a choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk62451179;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WATCH: Amanda Gorman reads inauguration poem, 'The Hill We Climb'<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZFN9Tx6xh-skXCuRHCDpQ"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PBS
NewsHour</span></i></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YouTube 1,130,041 views •Jan 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old poet, read an original work at President Joe
Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ055ilIiN4&feature=youtu.be"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ055ilIiN4&feature=youtu.be</span></i></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Surfing that charter
school wave | Editorial Cartoon<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Editorial
Cartoon by John Cole, Cagle Syndicate </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 23, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/surfing-that-charter-school-wave-editorial-cartoon/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/surfing-that-charter-school-wave-editorial-cartoon/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Charter schools are a choice every
parent has the right to make. But the current system puts an undue financial burden
on every taxpayer, who does not have a choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"The purpose of this resolution is
to ask for a more fair funding formula for charter school education, and
especially cyber charter education," Bolton said in a telephone interview.
Under the state formula, Pennridge has to pay $13,385.78 of tuition for regular
education students enrolled in a charter school this year even though the
district offers a “very successful” cyber program that costs about $5,000 per
student, Bolton said. The PSBA resolution "calls upon the General Assembly
to meaningfully revise the existing flawed charter school funding systems for
regular and special education to ensure that school districts and taxpayers are
no longer overpaying these schools or reimbursing for costs the charter schools
do not incur."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Editorial: School
budget season resurrects charter reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pottstown
Mercury Editorial Jan 24, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School
budget numbers for next year are starting to come into focus, and it’s not a
pretty picture. In just the North Penn-Souderton-Pennridge region, projected
deficits in the first budget drafts range from $6.6 million in Souderton to
$15.5 million in North Penn. In all three districts, tuition to charter schools
was cited as a large factor in the expense gaps, increasing as more students
disenroll from public school systems riddled with pandemic complications. Pennridge
is scheduled to vote this week on a charter school reform resolution which has
been making its way around the state since last spring. About 400 school
districts have already approved the Pennsylvania School Board Associations
resolution that asks state lawmakers to change the way it sets the rates the
districts pay those enrolled in a charter school. "This is not a
resolution that's advocating one way or another for charter schools in terms of
their existence and whether families choose that," Pennridge
Superintendent David Bolton said at the Jan. 11 meeting of the board's Finance
Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/opinion/editorial-school-budget-season-resurrects-charter-reform/article_4a697101-96e2-521b-821e-a7c84923296c.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/opinion/editorial-school-budget-season-resurrects-charter-reform/article_4a697101-96e2-521b-821e-a7c84923296c.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Guest Column: Why are
public schools footing the bill for substandard cyber charter education?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Delco Times
Opinion By Art Levinowitz, Ph.D. Times Guest Columnist January 23, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Art
Levinowitz, Ph.D., is president, Pennsylvania School Board Association, and
school director, Upper Dublin School District.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">When the
COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, school districts across the nation
saw a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/8/27/21404899/virtual-online-charter-enrollment-growth-pandemic" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">huge increase in cyber charter school enrollment</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, including right here in Pennsylvania
where cyber charter school </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/pennsylvania-cyber-charter-schools-enrollment-coronavirus-20201019.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">enrollment is up by 63% to 62,000 students</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> as of October 1, 2020. This
trend should have Pennsylvania parents and taxpayers extremely concerned
because of the immediate as well as long-lasting financial and academic
implications this enrollment increase will have on school districts and their
students.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Looking
first at the financial concern; school districts can expect as much as a $350
million increase in their cyber charter tuition bills this year alone, due to
the pandemic-generated cyber charter school enrollment increases. It’s important
to keep in mind that this massive sum is only part of the overall $475 million
overall charter school tuition increase for this school year that school
districts are facing in addition to navigating through a global pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The $475
million increase in charter school tuition this school year effectively
nullifies the majority of the federal funds public schools received under the
CARES Act. This means most of those funds will not have their intended impact –
to aid our public schools in a time of crisis. Moreover, for many districts,
their Act 1 index rate will not allow for them to increase property taxes to
cover the gap in increased charter school payments, leaving hopelessly
unbalanced budgets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Upper
Dublin School District, the costs for charter schools have been relatively low
compared to our neighbors. Each regular education student costs the district
$17,750 and each special education student costs the district $38,000. We have
seen a significant increase in enrollment and costs this year compared to last
year. Our overall costs for last school year were $365,250 with only 13
students attending a charter school. This year our costs are projected to be
$968,250 or an increase of $603,000 with 42 charter school students. The
$603,000 results in a .8% tax increase to offset the additional cost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/guest-column-why-are-public-schools-footing-the-bill-for-substandard-cyber-charter-education/article_58c0f4ca-5de1-11eb-a80a-e309d0b9696f.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/guest-column-why-are-public-schools-footing-the-bill-for-substandard-cyber-charter-education/article_58c0f4ca-5de1-11eb-a80a-e309d0b9696f.html</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">End the blame game:
officials should embrace, not attack, public cyber charter schools | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/pennoped/posts.html" title="Guest Editorial"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Guest Editorial</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> By Lenny McAllister Updated Jan 22,
2021; Posted Jan 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Formerly
with the Commonwealth Foundation, Lenny McAllister is the CEO of the </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpacharters.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cjdavis%40pennlive.com%7C283ab0d060b54a18969b08d8bc8b56ca%7C1fe6294574e64203848fb9b82929f9d4%7C0%7C0%7C637466653939458812%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2B6akddyWeNp77ljeY6AtXgUvbCzSaqHmnbx50xICfkg%3D&reserved=0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pennsylvania
Coalition of Public Charter Schools</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">In March
2020, Gov. Tom Wolf closed Pennsylvania schools because of the pandemic. Ever
since, many school districts have struggled with providing effective virtual
learning platforms. Some had issues getting students online due to</span></span></span></span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2F6abc.com%2Fphiladelphia-schools-school-back-to-in%2F6403960%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cjdavis%40pennlive.com%7C283ab0d060b54a18969b08d8bc8b56ca%7C1fe6294574e64203848fb9b82929f9d4%7C0%7C0%7C637466653939438818%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=rONU2ffgXHHX9PnT4fwGy6vDp3jmhoWSNw4qYXQyBRQ%3D&reserved=0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> internet
accessibility problems and technology deficiencies</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Others struggled with gauging academic
progress and attendance. Many students missed key tests, with</span></span></span></span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Flocal%2Fpittsburgh-allegheny%2Fall-pittsburgh-students-will-receive-passing-grades-as-district-struggles-to-meet-tech-needs%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cjdavis%40pennlive.com%7C283ab0d060b54a18969b08d8bc8b56ca%7C1fe6294574e64203848fb9b82929f9d4%7C0%7C0%7C637466653939448814%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=EpiAKJA0f6xyjCWuhLZZOcyUMzucfaZVGqnS4MeBXk8%3D&reserved=0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> some
receiving blanket passing grades</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Recent studies show that some 3 million
students nationally</span></span></span></span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2020%2F12%2F29%2F948866982%2Fa-quiet-and-unsettling-pandemic-toll-students-whove-fallen-off-the-grid&data=04%7C01%7Cjdavis%40pennlive.com%7C283ab0d060b54a18969b08d8bc8b56ca%7C1fe6294574e64203848fb9b82929f9d4%7C0%7C0%7C637466653939448814%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ZO%2Fu5lKAJEHAZF0nc3v2fUOEQVHhcsOhjteBj8shiho%3D&reserved=0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> may
have dropped out of “school learning”</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> due to these shortcomings. A report
showed that </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fsections%2Fcoronavirus-live-updates%2F2020%2F12%2F01%2F938048852%2Fsome-good-news-student-reading-gains-are-steady-while-math-slows-down&data=04%7C01%7Cjdavis%40pennlive.com%7C283ab0d060b54a18969b08d8bc8b56ca%7C1fe6294574e64203848fb9b82929f9d4%7C0%7C0%7C637466653939458812%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=B2PuEC%2Bi1RyQDQ%2FaLSvd3%2FFtzku6Sl%2FCMepgQIq7tnY%3D&reserved=0"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">roughly
one-fourth of the third through eighth grade cohort</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, including a disproportionate amount of
socioeconomically challenged students, did not take specific annual academic
assessments. In Pennsylvania, these issues have cropped up for months in school
districts despite district officials telling lawmakers for years that they
could provide online academic instruction better and cheaper than public cyber
charter schools. The pandemic has proven otherwise – here at home and around
America.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/end-the-blame-game-officials-should-embrace-not-attack-public-cyber-charter-schools-opinion.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/end-the-blame-game-officials-should-embrace-not-attack-public-cyber-charter-schools-opinion.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are the members
of the PA Senate Education Committee for 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania
General Assembly Website<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=23&CteeBody=S"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=23&CteeBody=S</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“A spike in enrollment at cyber charter
schools escalated already existing budget concerns for school districts. The
report said a $475 million increase in charter school tuition costs is expected
in Pennsylvania — $350 million of which is from cyber, or online, charter
enrollment. Charter school costs are one of the largest expenditures for school
districts in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Public Schools, for example, will
spend about $102 million in 2021 on charter school tuition. That accounts for
about 15% of the district’s budget — the largest portion spent on anything but
staff salaries and benefits.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Financial, operations
concerns continue in 2021 for Pa. school leaders<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:agoldstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">agoldstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JAN 24, 2021 <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6:30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Three
statewide professional associations earlier have released a report that says
Pennsylvania education leaders remain concerned about the continued economic
and operational challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report
highlighted anxieties over a number of key issues, including uncertain federal
funding, increasing charter school costs and teacher shortages. “Since
March 2020, COVID-19 has disrupted school district operations to a historic
degree, the impact of which is uniformly visible in data and survey responses
even as the scope of the impact varies widely between districts,” the report,
released earlier this month, said. “From the onset of the pandemic to school
closures and from school reopening to the COVID resurgence, districts have
continued to balance safety needs with budgetary constraints in ever-changing
environments.” School superintendents and business managers filled out surveys
that provided data for the report, which was issued by the
Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, the Pennsylvania
Association of School Administrators and the Pennsylvania Association of
Rural and Small Schools. In addition to the surveys, the report was also
informed by statistics from PASBO’s 2019-20 Annual Financial Report. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/24/Financial-operations-concerns-continue-in-2021-for-Pa-school-leaders/stories/202101190115"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/24/Financial-operations-concerns-continue-in-2021-for-Pa-school-leaders/stories/202101190115</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CHOP doctors endorse
return to in-person school in Philly area<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/miles-bryan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Miles Bryan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of
Philadelphia’s most prominent experts on how to handle schooling during the
pandemic said Friday that going to school may actually reduce a child’s risk of
catching the coronavirus. Dr. Susan Coffin is a professor of infectious
diseases at the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctor at the Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Her remarks came during a virtual roundtable,
hosted by CHOP’s PolicyLab, on what to expect for the remainder of the school
year. “Schools may be little islands of safety,” Coffin said. “Where the people
who gather, if they gather in good conscience and committed to safety plans,
[can] go about their day as safely as the community, but even more safely.” That
claim was supported by data she has reviewed, Coffin said, and by the experience
of Rhode Island, which bucked the example of most northeastern states by
beginning the school year with most students in classrooms and staying the
course as community transmission has risen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/chop-doctors-endorse-return-to-in-person-school-in-philly-area/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/chop-doctors-endorse-return-to-in-person-school-in-philly-area/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The wait for a
vaccine has frustrated teachers and slowed school reopening plans<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“We’ve spent
a year now hearing ... ‘Kids have to be in school. It’s a priority,’” said
Garnet Valley School District Superintendent Marc Bertrando. “Now, all of a
sudden, it’s not a priority.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/hanna_maddie/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Maddie Hanna</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published
Jan 23, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Garnet
Valley School District Superintendent Marc Bertrando was thrilled when he
learned local health officials planned to start vaccinating Delaware County
teachers against the coronavirus in February, with clinics at four schools over
consecutive weekends. In March, educators would get the second doses required
to complete inoculation — enabling schools like Bertrando’s to open more fully
for in-person instruction this spring. There was just one problem: The county
didn’t have the doses to move forward, officials said. As the pandemic
continues to disrupt education — with many area schools offering in-person
instruction only part-time or operating entirely online — it’s unclear when
teachers around the Philadelphia region will be vaccinated. That’s adding uncertainty
to when life will return to something resembling normal for children, their
parents, and the broader community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/covid-vaccine-teachers-philadelphia-pennsylvania-schools-reopening-20210123.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/covid-vaccine-teachers-philadelphia-pennsylvania-schools-reopening-20210123.html</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Uncertainty reigns
with Philadelphia teachers getting vaccine<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here’s what
we know about the distribution plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/dale-mezzacappa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dale
Mezzacappa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 22, 2021, 7:12pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Mayor Jim
Kenney says he wants schools to open as soon as possible, telling City Council
on Thursday that children are suffering and reopening is “the next challenge
facing our city.” Superintendent William Hite agrees, and plans to announce
next week a limited reopening plan for kindergarten through second grade
students that could begin sometime in February. But it’s unclear if teachers
will be able to get vaccinated before they return to school buildings. For now,
most school workers cannot sign up to get a vaccine. Although they are in group
1B, which the city is </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.phila.gov/media/20210119110802/HP_VaccineRPRTr2.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">currently
prioritizing</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, they are in line behind others in that
group, including firefighters, police officers, prison guards, and transit workers,
and it’s not yet clear when teachers will be able to make a vaccine
appointment. Why is this? One reason is that city data shows that schools have
not been the source of significant spread of COVID-19, based on the experience
of more than 100 private and parochial schools that have continued to operate
in person during the pandemic. “The health department has never recommended
that (at least younger aged) schools in Philadelphia be closed,” said health
department spokesman James Garrow in an email. “We have maintained that as long
as they implement safety protocols, they can safely operate.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/22/22245168/uncertainty-reigns-with-philadelphia-teachers-getting-vaccine"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/22/22245168/uncertainty-reigns-with-philadelphia-teachers-getting-vaccine</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Greater Latrobe
School District starts vaccinating staff, sees ‘light at the end of the tunnel’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/jacob-tierney/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JACOB TIERNEY</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Saturday, January
23, 2021 3:03 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Greater
Latrobe School District staff members who lined up Saturday to get covid
vaccines said the shots gave them a glimmer of hope that the pandemic could be
nearing its end. “I was thrilled,” said Renee Gyory, a secretary and one of the
first district employees to be vaccinated. “It’s positive; it’s what we need.
The sooner everyone’s vaccinated, the sooner we can move on with normal life.” The
district vaccinated 200 employees Saturday, with hopes to vaccinate about 200
more next week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greater-latrobe-school-district-starts-vaccinating-staff-sees-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greater-latrobe-school-district-starts-vaccinating-staff-sees-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Parents with
disabilities face extra hurdles with kids’ remote schooling<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY/NPR By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/parents-with-disabilities-face-extra-hurdles-with-kids-remote-schooling/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristin Gourlay</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 24,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.ada.gov/cguide.htm__;!!Iwwt!AO4CF8R0AhWtXcY_GW4aefI0DxsHXWl8uIj6C-8wL_aydCDrsjH2RERRAUYv$"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Americans
with Disabilities Act</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> says
schools have to help not just students but parents with disabilities, too, like
making sure deaf or blind parents can communicate during parent-teacher
conferences. But what happens when kids are learning at home? That’s uncharted
territory. Rosabella Manzanares, a first-grader at Betsy Ross Elementary in
Forest Park, Ill., has a spelling test. Like so many kids around the country,
she’s taking the test at home, sharing a Zoom screen with a class full of other
boisterous 6-year-olds. Rosabella’s teacher relies on parents to grade simple
assignments like this. But while Rosabella can hear the spelling words, her
mother can not. Chantelly Manzanares uses American Sign Language, or ASL, which
is different than English. It’s a visual language. It has its own grammar. It
uses different sentence structure. Rosabella and her siblings grew up using
ASL. But while they’ve become fluent in English, Manzanares is not. She can grade
this spelling test, which Rosabella holds up to the screen with a big smile.
But it can be tough for Manzanares to help with other work in English.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/parents-with-disabilities-face-extra-hurdles-with-kids-remote-schooling/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/parents-with-disabilities-face-extra-hurdles-with-kids-remote-schooling/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Which Centre County
schools are operating remotely due to COVID-19? Here’s a running list<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Centre Daily
Times </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mparish@centredaily.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY MARLEY
PARISH</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JANUARY 22, 2021 08:32 AM, UPDATED
JANUARY 22, 2021 11:28 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Since
reopening in August, Centre County school districts have been forced to make
adjustments to instructional plans as community COVID-19 cases continue to rise
and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/SchoolReopeningGuidance/ReopeningPreKto12/PublicHealthGuidance/Pages/SchoolClosureRecommentations.aspx" target="_self"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">statewide mitigation efforts</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> aim to slow virus transmission. The
Centre Daily Times is keeping a running list of school closures and planned
reopenings. Because area schools are not required to publicly announce
confirmed cases or building closures, this list may not be comprehensive but
will be updated weekly with any changes or updates to instructional plans. If a
school closure is not listed, or to provide more information, please email
cdtnewstips@centredaily.com.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.centredaily.com/news/rebuild/article247509800.html#storylink=mainstage_lead"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.centredaily.com/news/rebuild/article247509800.html#storylink=mainstage_lead</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">School District of
Lancaster students to return to classroom Jan. 25; virtual options available<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lancaster
Online by ROBYN MEADOWS | LNP CORRESPONDENT January 24, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After months
of virtual instruction, School District of Lancaster students will return to
the classroom on Jan. 25. On Tuesday, the school board approved a plan that
allows students to choose from three options:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">1.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Attend class in-person for five days a
week for a full day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">2.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Learn virtually from home via Zoom
along with students who choose in-person instruction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">3.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Enroll in the district’s virtual
school, Cyber Pathways Academy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The board
split the plan into three separate votes for elementary, middle and high
school. Board member David Parry opposed allowing high school students to
return to the classroom, citing fears of an increase in COVID-19 infections. “Right
now, we have 1,400 kids failing at least one course,” district Superintendent
Damaris Rau said in response to Perry’s concern. “We have over 1,000 kids
failing two courses, and 506 failing three courses. “This is its own pandemic,”
Rau said. “You talk about inequity. This is a pandemic of student failure that
we cannot let go another day.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/school-district-of-lancaster-students-to-return-to-classroom-jan-25-virtual-options-available/article_88ed11e8-55ac-11eb-9b24-5fb5995db891.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/school-district-of-lancaster-students-to-return-to-classroom-jan-25-virtual-options-available/article_88ed11e8-55ac-11eb-9b24-5fb5995db891.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While studying from
home, fewer Hazleton Area students make honor roll<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lancaster
Online by Kent Jackson - Standard-Speaker, Hazleton, Pa. (TNS) Jan 24,
2021 Updated Jan 24, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jan.
24—While studying from home during the pandemic, 460 fewer Hazleton Area
students made the honor roll during the first quarter. That's a drop of 3.85%
between this fall and last fall when students still went to classrooms because
COVID-19 hadn't started spreading. The comparison isn't perfect because the
district has gained and lost teachers since last fall, and the student body has
changed, too. Children of all ages moved in and out of the district while seniors
graduated and new pupils advanced to third grade, the youngest class eligible
for honor roll. One factor that kept students off the honor roll could be that
during the first quarter this year, all 11,498 students took academic courses
from home rather than in classrooms. "Distance learning is not for
everyone," Superintendent Brian Uplinger said in an email in which he
discussed differences in the honor roll from year to year. Instead of using
techniques that have worked in the past, he said teachers and students across
the country are innovating.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/health/while-studying-from-home-fewer-hazleton-area-students-make-honor-roll/article_ea6a1329-68f8-5014-95eb-5adda2c8e31f.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/health/while-studying-from-home-fewer-hazleton-area-students-make-honor-roll/article_ea6a1329-68f8-5014-95eb-5adda2c8e31f.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scranton School
District recovery leads to sacrifices, financial gains in first two years<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times Tribune
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/shofius"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 24, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the two
years since the state placed the Scranton School District in financial
recovery, preschool started to end, taxes increased and teachers continued to
work without a contract. But the district has also stopped borrowing money to
balance budgets, accumulated its largest fund balance in 15 years and updated
curriculum. District leaders say becoming financially solvent takes tough
decisions and sacrifices, and correcting past mistakes will take years. But
facing a future with tax increases, school closures and without preschool or a
new teachers contract has some people questioning the steps to get there. “We
are certainly in the midst of the part of this process that will see more
sacrifice than growth, but we are setting a strong, sustainable financial
foundation,” said board President Katie Gilmartin, the last director remaining
on the board from when the district entered recovery in January 2019 and when
the board approved the plan seven months later.The coronavirus pandemic caused
some priorities to shift, such as upgrading technology and inspecting building
ventilation systems, as most staff continues to work remotely. But as in-person
education halted, progress on the plan continued.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-recovery-leads-to-sacrifices-financial-gains-in-first-two-years/article_33a6b9e2-3f76-530a-9abf-c0026a8bd963.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-recovery-leads-to-sacrifices-financial-gains-in-first-two-years/article_33a6b9e2-3f76-530a-9abf-c0026a8bd963.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Want kids back in
school? There’s a PAC for that<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 24, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Throughout
the pandemic, a group of Philadelphia-area parents has been pushing local
schools to reopen for in-person learning. And now they have a political action
committee to raise money and flex their newfound political muscle. Montgomery
County mom Clarice Schillinger founded the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KeepingKidsinSchoolPAC"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keeping Kids in School PAC</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> last week, an outgrowth of an
increasingly popular Facebook page called </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/pipe.effort/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Parents for In Person
Education</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. The Delaware Valley Journal first reported
on the PAC’s formation. “I kept seeing these questions over and over: How do I
run for school board? How do I help candidates run for school board,”
Schillinger said. Sensing a political tremor, the mother of two formed a PAC
— </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1352585819685580804"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">quite
possibly the first</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in the country explicitly tied to school
reopening. The PAC’s aim is to endorse and fund school board candidates
committed to reopening schools for in-person learning in Montgomery and Bucks
counties. Members of this same parent group </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/montco-residents-raise-10000-to-sue-the-county-over-virtual-school-order/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">have
already sued</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> unsuccessfully to reopen schools in
Montgomery County and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/montco-parents-worry-two-week-move-to-virtual-learning-will-harm-students-mental-health/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">protested</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> shutdown decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/want-kids-back-in-school-theres-a-pac-for-that/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/want-kids-back-in-school-theres-a-pac-for-that/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Butler County School
Board Member Wins Re-Election to PSERS Board Of Trustees<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Board
Chairman and Vice Chairman also re-elected to second terms</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Public
School Employees’ Retirement System Press Release Jan. 14, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HARRISBURG
-- Eric DiTullio was re-elected to a new 3-year term as the School Board Member
Representative on the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System
Board of Trustees. Mr. DiTullio, an 11-year member of Butler County’s Seneca
Valley School Board, received 52% of votes cast by Pennsylvania school members
who returned ballots, according to election results certified at a public
meeting on Thursday. DiTullio’s opponent, Otto Voit III, a school board member
in Berks County’s Muhlenberg School District, garnered 48% of votes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I am honored
my fellow school board members have voted to give me another term to serve on
this Board,” DiTullio said. “I will endeavor to do my best as a fiduciary to
represent school board members and work to improve the System that provides
retirement benefits to public school employers.” PSERS independent election
vendor Election-America conducted the election on behalf of the System.
DiTullio’s term begins immediately and runs until Dec. 31, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Public-School-Employees-Retirement-System_details.aspx?newsid=119" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Public-School-Employees-Retirement-System_details.aspx?newsid=119</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone Oaks
teachers say they're prepared to strike by end of January<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PITTSBURGH
POST-GAZETTE JAN 22, 2021 5:15 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Keystone
Oaks Education Association sent a notice Friday to Superintendent William
Stropkaj of its intent to strike if a tentative labor agreement can’t be
reached by the end of January. The strike would begin Feb. 1 with no agreement.
Education association officials said they had been negotiating with the school
district since January 2020, and that their previous contract expired June 30,
meaning that the teachers, nurses, counselors and mental health therapists
represented by the union have been working without a contract since then. Education
association officials said the membership had voted overwhelmingly Oct. 21 to
give its negotiating team authorization to call a strike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/22/Keystone-Oaks-teachers-say-they-will-strike-if/stories/202101220171"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/22/Keystone-Oaks-teachers-say-they-will-strike-if/stories/202101220171</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Early Education
Department Appointees Have Links to Jill Biden, Teachers’ Unions<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — January 22, 2021 4 min
read<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">President
Joe Biden’s administration announced a slate of new staff at the U.S.
Department of Education this week that includes first lady Jill Biden’s former
chief of staff and two prominent teachers’ union officials. Sheila Nix—who was
Jill Biden’s chief of staff in President Barack Obama’s second term and worked
in other positions for both Obama and Biden— will serve as the Education
Department’s chief of staff, the administration announced Thursday. Donna
Harris-Aikens, who served on the Biden transition team and previously worked on
policy issues for the National Education Association, will serve as a senior
advisor for policy and planning in the office of the secretary. Emma Leheny,
formerly of the NEA and the California Teachers Association, will serve as
principal deputy general counsel and acting general counsel for the Education
Department. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USED/bulletins/2ba9dc2" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The appointments</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, 12 in total, don’t cover many of the top jobs at the department, like
assistant secretaries who lead efforts in civil rights and planning,
evaluation, and policy development. But they send a strong signal about who
could be major players in Biden K-12 policy, both inside and outside the
administration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/early-education-department-appointees-have-links-to-jill-biden-teachers-unions/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/early-education-department-appointees-have-links-to-jill-biden-teachers-unions/2021/01</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A School District Vowed
to Stay Open, Until Its Staffing Ran Out<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly
11,000 people were forced to quarantine this fall in a suburban Atlanta
district that didn’t mandate masks, but it stayed the course, until a staffing
shortage shut the doors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/dan-levin"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dan Levin</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan. 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">This article
is </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/schools-coronavirus.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">part
of a series</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> examining the widely different
approaches of U.S. school districts to teaching during the pandemic, and the
impact on their students. Lizzy Palermo says she was one of the few students in
her suburban Georgia high school who consistently wore a mask to classes in the
fall. But it didn’t save her from having to quarantine after the district
opened buildings in August, as students and staff members came to school with
the coronavirus. Twice, Lizzy was forced to stay home for 14 days after
exposure to infected classmates. The school closed its doors twice during the
fall. Then, just after students returned from winter break, every school in the
district shifted to remote classes as staffing shortages grew unmanageable and
the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cityofcanton/photos/a.349311028601823/1524345471098367" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">local hospital was overwhelmed</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. “This is what you get when you don’t try to
protect the people in the schools,” said Lizzy, 17. She attends River Ridge
High School in Cherokee County, a largely white stretch of suburbs north of
Atlanta that is among the state’s wealthiest. Despite heated opposition from
some parents and teachers, the district’s approach to the fall semester reflected
the urging of former President Donald J. Trump, who </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.politico.com/2020-election/results/georgia/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">won
nearly 70 percent of the county’s vote</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in November, and Gov. Brian Kemp, also
a Republican: Open the schools, and keep them that way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/coronavirus-schools-georgia.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/coronavirus-schools-georgia.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A viral video forced
a wealthy Texas suburb to confront racism. A 'silent majority' fought back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Southlake is
known for its top-ranked public schools. But a heated fight over a diversity
plan has some parents questioning their future in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NBC News By Mike
Hixenbaugh Jan. 22, 2021, 5:00 AM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Robin
Cornish was at work in the fall of 2018 when she got a text message from
another parent. It was a link to a video showing several white high school
students laughing as they filmed themselves shouting the N-word at a party. One
of the students in the video had shared it on Snapchat, and now it was going
viral. Cornish, a 51-year-old Black mother of five, recognized the girl leading
the chant as the younger sibling of one of her son’s former friends. Cornish
was upset as she watched the 8-second clip, she said, but she wasn’t surprised.
This was Southlake, Texas, after all. The elite, mostly white suburb 30 miles
northwest of Dallas has a reputation as one of the best places in the country
to raise a family, thanks in large part to its highly ranked public school
system: The Carroll Independent School District, home of the Dragons, where the
median home costs $650,000 and average SAT scores are good enough to get
students into top-tier universities. But the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carroll-isd-school-board-hosts-special-meeting-to-address-offensive-video-made-by-students/78448/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">video
of Carroll high schoolers shouting the N-word</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> was about to expose another side of the
fast-growing and quickly diversifying community, one that Cornish and other
Black parents quietly referred to as Southlake’s “dirty secret.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/viral-video-forced-wealthy-texas-suburb-confront-racism-silent-majority-n1255230"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/viral-video-forced-wealthy-texas-suburb-confront-racism-silent-majority-n1255230</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden Is Vowing to
Reopen Schools Quickly. It Won’t Be Easy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The slow
vaccine roll out, and local fights between districts and unions, could make it
hard for the president to fulfill his promise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/dana-goldstein"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dana Goldstein</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan. 25, 2021, 5:00 a.m. ET<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In his first
48 hours in office, President Biden sought to project an optimistic message
about returning the nation’s many homebound students to classrooms. “We can
teach our children in safe schools,” he vowed in his inaugural address. The
following day, Mr. Biden signed an executive order promising to throw the
strength of the federal government behind an effort to “reopen school doors as
quickly as possible.” But with about half of American students still learning
virtually as the pandemic nears its first anniversary, the president’s push is
far from certain to succeed. His plan is rolling out just as local battles over
reopening have, if anything, become more pitched in recent weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/25/us/biden-schools-reopen-coronavirus.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/25/us/biden-schools-reopen-coronavirus.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">EDUCATION
CONVERSATION: An Introduction to the Philadelphia School Board’s “Goals and
Guardrails” Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia
Education Fund Free Virtual Event Thursday February 4, 2021 9:00
am - 10:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Attend a
typical school board meeting anywhere in the country, and the agenda will
likely be largely made up of financial, contracting, and spending resolutions.
What if, instead of school operations, a school board were to focus its
attention on student achievement? Might that accelerate gains for students?
Could that improve the student experience? Would that deliver educational
equity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Philadelphia
Board of Education began consulting with education leaders across the country
to explore this question. The answer, announced just last month, is Goals and
Guardrails. The initiative has been described by former board member, Lee
Huang, as both “obvious and revolutionary.” And, Superintendent Bill Hite
called it a “game changer.” To learn more about this approach and what it might
mean for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren, register for this free event </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/136342816033" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Panelists</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leticia Egea-Hinton, Vice President,
Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mallory Fix Lopez, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Angela McIver, Member, Board of
Education<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaedfund.org/event/an-introduction-to-the-philadelphia-school-boards-goals-and-guardrails-initiative/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA School Funding
Lawsuit Overview for the Lehigh Valley Community</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jan 27, 2021 07:00 PM
<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join
attorneys from the Public Interest Law Center and Education Law Center for an
overview of Pennsylvania's historic school funding lawsuit and learn how you
can help support the school funding Pennsylvania's children need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Registration:
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you know someone
who is interested in learning more about the role of a school board director? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA will
host free sessions covering the core considerations for candidates who are
contemplating running for school board: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://ow.ly/eCSl50D7ABH"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://ow.ly/eCSl50D7ABH</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school
funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and
to PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from
the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions
of dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://npeaction.org/2021-conference/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-40976628306428246672021-01-22T09:33:00.000-05:002021-01-22T09:33:40.915-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 22: Ten Months in, COVID Focus Shifting to Vaccinations<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ten Months in, COVID
Focus Shifting to Vaccinations<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">342 locally elected school boards have now adopted charter reform
resolutions. Has your district?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from school officials
across the state to call for charter school funding reform. Legislators are
hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the unfair
funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of dollars
to charter schools. </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the 2018-19
school year approximately 86% of the children in the Commonwealth’s public
schools did not receive adequate funding according to state law. That’s why we’re
taking the state to court.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fund Our
Schools PA Website<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">William
Penn School District et al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education et al.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.elc-pa.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Education Law Center of Pennsylvania</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pubintlaw.org/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Public Interest Law Center </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.omm.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">O’Melveny</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> filed suit in Pennsylvania Commonwealth
Court in 2014 on behalf of six school districts, two statewide organizations,
and a group of parents against legislative leaders, state education officials,
and the governor for failing to uphold the General Assembly’s constitutional
obligation to provide a "thorough and efficient" system of public
education. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">A trial
will take place in PA Commonwealth Court in the coming months.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Read up on the case throughout this website,
or check out our documentation in full:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.fundourschoolspa.org/students-vs-pennsylvania-department-of-education"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.fundourschoolspa.org/students-vs-pennsylvania-department-of-education</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden announces
executive actions meant to help reopen schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY/NPR By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/302894536/anya-kamenetz?ft=nprml&f=959162019" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Anya
Kamenetz</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/378865949/elissa-nadworny?ft=nprml&f=959162019" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Elissa
Nadworny</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">President Biden
has called reopening schools a “</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/09/04/909337949/biden-calls-school-reopening-a-national-emergency"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">national
emergency</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">” and said that he wants to see most K-12
schools in the United States </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/12/29/951254331/biden-again-criticizes-trumps-covid-response-vows-to-speed-vaccine-production"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">open
during his first 100 days</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in
office, which would be between now and April. On Thursday </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1352280291088457731"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">he
announced</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> he would sign several executive
actions, including measures meant to push the process along. These come after
actions signed on Wednesday geared toward improving college access and
providing relief for student loan borrowers. Here are the details of Thursday’s
actions, as announced by the White House:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/biden-announces-executive-actions-meant-to-help-reopen-schools/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/biden-announces-executive-actions-meant-to-help-reopen-schools/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden Launches New
Strategy to Combat COVID-19, Reopen Schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/evie-blad"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Evie Blad</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — January 21, 2021 5 min
read</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">President
Joe Biden launched a new, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/National-Strategy-for-the-COVID-19-Response-and-Pandemic-Preparedness.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">more
centralized strategy</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to combat COVID-19 and reopen schools
Thursday, formalizing pledges he made during the campaign and the transition. Biden
has set a goal of “getting a majority of K-8 schools safely open” in the first
100 days of his administration. The 200-page federal plan, and executive orders
he signed Thursday, call for “sustained and coordinated” efforts with the
cooperation of states and new resources, guidance, and data for schools as they
continue to respond to the pandemic. Biden’s school reopening pledge comes as
states and districts around the country take a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/map-where-are-schools-closed/2020/07"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">patchwork
of approaches</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. While many school districts have held
in-person learning with modifications like mask wearing a social distancing,
some large urban school districts have remained in or switched back to remote
learning amid new surges in virus rates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-launches-new-strategy-to-combat-covid-19-reopen-schools/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-launches-new-strategy-to-combat-covid-19-reopen-schools/2021/01</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lack of COVID
vaccines has Delco school districts fuming<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Delco Times
by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Pete%20Bannan%20Pbannan@21st-Centurymedia.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Pete
Bannan Pbannan@21st-Centurymedia.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As schools
in Delaware County struggle to complete a full year of teaching through the
COVID-19 pandemic, there was a ray of hope that normalcy could return with
plans for a mid-February rollout of vaccinations for staff and faculty. That hope
has now hit a roadblock. The 15 School Districts in Delaware County, working
with the Chester County Health Department and the Delaware County’s COVID Task
Force, had a tentative plan for faculty and staff to be vaccinated against the
COVID-19 virus at four school-based vaccination sites located in Garnet Valley,
Radnor, Ridley, and Upper Darby. The sites would be opened concurrently
throughout three to four weekends beginning as early as Feb. 13. A number of
events intervened to make that date now unlikely, say county officials. On
Tuesday, new guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health added two
additional categories of eligible individuals to Phase 1A vaccinations. Under
the state’s new categories, all individuals 65 and older, and individuals ages
16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus,
are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. Rosemary Halt, director of the
Covid-19 Task Force for Delaware County said the new categories changed the
numbers substantially, doubling or tripling the number of eligible residents in
Phase 1A, while school personnel are currently in Phase 1B of the vaccination
roll out plan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.delcotimes.com/news/lack-of-covid-vaccines-has-school-districts-fuming/article_aae729ac-5c17-11eb-83ff-cfd9fbe8a3b4.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.delcotimes.com/news/lack-of-covid-vaccines-has-school-districts-fuming/article_aae729ac-5c17-11eb-83ff-cfd9fbe8a3b4.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bucks, Montco
officials: Without quicker supply, it could take year to vaccinate first phase<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.trainuscp.com/staff/5544129002/marion-callahan/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Marion
Callahan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Bucks County Courier Times January 22, 2021<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When it
comes to the Covid-19 vaccine rollout across Pennsylvania, frustrations
are high. Officials are frustrated, as the state qualifies
more people for vaccine when there is not enough to go around. Pennsylvania
Medical Society leaders are frustrated that front-line health care
workers — who were supposed to be at the front of the line — may be left out as
the pool of eligible recipients more than doubles with the addition of those 65
and older.Consumers are frustrated that they simply can’t get it, and
don't know where to turn. "It is very frustrating that the federal
and state governments keep identifying more and more citizens who are
priorities for the vaccine without providing the vaccine or even any dates for
possible deliveries," said Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, chair of the Bucks County
Commissioners. "There are clearly supply chain issues that are beyond
the control of county governments, but we are being left to explain this to a
public that is growing increasingly frustrated," Marseglia said. "The
federal and state governments need to tell the truth to citizens: they do not
have anywhere near an adequate supply of vaccines." On Tuesday state
health officials added millions more Pennsylvanians immediately eligible for
the COVID-19 vaccine, moving residents over 65 and those with high-risk
medical conditions to the front of the line along with health care providers,
emergency medical workers, and long-term care residents and employees. Bucks
County officials said Tuesday's announcement "widened the already large
gap between the number of eligible residents and the available supply of
vaccine." In Montgomery County, Commissioner Valerie Arkoosh
estimates that 250,000 additional people now qualify to be in the
first-priority group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/20/bucks-county-vaccine-rollout-supply-frustation/4227451001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/20/bucks-county-vaccine-rollout-supply-frustation/4227451001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">COVID vaccine hard to
come by in Beaver County<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite 12
additional distribution sites in Beaver County, appointments to receive a COVID
vaccination are scarce.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/staff/3334356001/daveen-rae-kurutz/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Daveen
Rae Kurutz</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Beaver County Times January 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sis Thompson
just wants to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren — and not through a
glass door. That's why she's called everywhere she can to try to find a
slot to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Thompson, 78, of Big Beaver, hasn't
left her home since March other than for medical appointments and can't wait
for the day she can see and hug her six granddaughters and 10
great-grandchildren. "I can't wait to get it," she said.
"I don't care if it makes me feel tired, sore or whatever. The most
important thing to me is to be able to spend some time with my granddaughters
and great-grandchildren again." One day after state officials expanded the
first phase of vaccine distribution to include Pennsylvanians 65 and older and
those age 16 to 65 with a series of health issues, vaccine slots in Beaver
County are near impossible to come by. Heritage Valley Health System announced
plans this week to offer vaccination appointments beginning later this month to
residents 65 and older. In total, there are 12 sites in Beaver County
where Pennsylvanians can conceivably receive a vaccine, according to a map on
the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. Predominantly pharmacies, none
had appointments available Wednesday afternoon, with several websites stating
that the pharmacy hasn't received enough vaccine to offer appointments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/01/20/covid-vaccine-hard-come-beaver-county/4229933001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/01/20/covid-vaccine-hard-come-beaver-county/4229933001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dahlkemper: Not
enough COVID-19 vaccine in Erie for all Phase 1A people<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">GoErie by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/staff/5864420002/david-bruce/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">David
Bruce</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Erie Times-News January 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pennsylvania
on Tuesday added hundreds of thousands — perhaps millions — of people to
Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccination plan, but it doesn't mean most of them
will soon be receiving shots. Though a couple of county hospitals
expanded their vaccination programs Tuesday to specific groups, most of
the people in Phase 1A will have to wait, Erie County Executive Kathy
Dahlkemper said. "It's going to take quite a while for all of the
people in Phase 1A," Dahlkemper said. "There just isn't the supply,
nor the manpower, nor the systems to handle that type of
vaccination." Pennsylvania health officials announced Tuesday that the
state is expanding its first vaccine priority group to include residents 65 and
older, and those 16 and older with high-risk medical conditions. But COVID-19
vaccine remains in short supply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goerie.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/01/19/covid-19-daily-update-coronavirus-cases-erie-county-and-statewide/4210045001/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.goerie.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/01/19/covid-19-daily-update-coronavirus-cases-erie-county-and-statewide/4210045001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lackawanna County
teachers begin receiving vaccines<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Times
Tribune </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/users/profile/kbolus"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BY
KATHLEEN BOLUS STAFF WRITER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 21,
2021 Updated 33 min ago<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 134
staff members from the Mid Valley School District on Wednesday were among
the first large group of educators in Lackawanna County to receive their first
dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Abington Heights School District staff also
had the option to receive the vaccine Wednesday. And on Saturday, more than
half of Forest City Regional's employees and bus contractors and drivers who
requested to be included in the district's vaccination plan will receive their
first doses at a clinic sponsored by the Wayne Memorial Community Health
Center, said Superintendent Jessica Aquilina, Ed.D. "We've all mastered
the idea of being socially distanced but our job is interacting with kids in
large numbers. We want to protect the kids, which is ultimately going to
protect their families and the community," said Cynthia Weiss, a high
school math teacher at Forest City who will receive the vaccine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/lackawanna-county-teachers-begin-receiving-vaccines/article_36a0cd4f-9fa6-57d5-b6da-fff52318146d.html#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/lackawanna-county-teachers-begin-receiving-vaccines/article_36a0cd4f-9fa6-57d5-b6da-fff52318146d.html#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philly teachers union
wants all staff vaccinated before students return to school<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/avi-wolfman-arent/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Avi Wolfman-Arent</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Union
leadership in Philadelphia is pushing back on plans to reopen schools, implying
that it will resist any attempts to bring students back into the classroom
before school staff are fully vaccinated. In a Thursday letter to district
leaders obtained by WHYY Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry
Jordan said that “it seems foolish to attempt a reopening without…vaccination.”
The district </span></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/8/22221304/philadelphia-school-leaders-confident-schools-will-reopen-this-year"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">recently
implied </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">it would unveil a reopening plan in January.
But PFT pushback could derail those plans. During negotiations for a new
contract, the PFT and district leaders agreed to a memorandum of understanding
that would govern school reopening. The PFT letter suggests that the union
wants to amend that agreement because of several contextual changes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/philly-teachers-union-wants-all-staff-vaccinated-before-students-return-to-school/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://whyy.org/articles/philly-teachers-union-wants-all-staff-vaccinated-before-students-return-to-school/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="2943082410962859587"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ciresi Named to House Education, Policy Committees<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Digital
Notebook Blog by Evan Brandt Thursday, January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><u><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Blogger's
Note:</span></u></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> T<i>he
following was submitted by the office of State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">State Rep.
Joe Ciresi, has been appointed to serve on the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=12&CteeBody=H"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">House
Education Committee</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> as part of his committee assignments
for the 2021-22 legislative session. “As a school board member for 12 years and
in my first term as a legislator, it’s clear that education has been a top
priority of mine,” Ciresi said. “I am grateful to be given the opportunity to
serve on the Education Committee and look forward to working on many important
priorities, including achieving real fair funding for education, charter school
reform, comprehensive education reform, cost savings and shared services, and
more.” During the 2019-20 legislative session, Ciresi worked with Gov. Tom Wolf
to craft a comprehensive charter school reform bill and introduced legislation
to incentivize cost-saving shared services for school districts (H.B. 2760),
extend budget deadlines for school districts during state budget impasses (H.B.
1227) and the COVID-19 pandemic (H.B. 2482), and create a Student Bill of
Rights for Off-Campus Housing (H.B. 2761).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2021/01/ciresi-named-to-house-education-policy.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://evan-brandt.blogspot.com/2021/01/ciresi-named-to-house-education-policy.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Superintendents'
forum: A resolution for resilience<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reading Eagle
Opinion by Dr. Jill Hackman Executive Director, Berks County Intermediate Unit January
21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We view the
beginning of a new year as a fresh start, an opportunity to work toward new
goals and a time to refocus our efforts on our health and well-being. Oftentimes,
as we reflect on what we would like to accomplish in the year ahead, our
resolutions are centered on our physical health. However, our physical and
mental health are so closely connected; this can be a fitting time to commit to
making our mental health a priority. It impacts how we feel, think, and react
to everyday situations; how we cope with stress and how we relate to others in
our lives. Like physical health, mental health is important in every stage of
life. In working to keep our own cups full as parents, educators, and
caregivers, we can also support mental and emotional well-being and encourage
resilience in our children and others we care about. According to
Merriam-Webster, the definition of resilience is “an ability to recover from or
adjust easily to change.” There are many circumstances that can cause anxiety
in children and adults, but we cannot assume the stressors are the same or that
everyone will react similarly. Change is an essential part of growth; learning
how to positively respond to change is essential for life-long success. The
Berks County Intermediate Unit offers student programs focused on promoting the
importance of building resilience in children to give them tools to help them
cope with difficult situations. In addition, the BCIU provides training in
Youth Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Practices, School Climate, and
Social and Emotional Learning for educators to support students. Resilient
children tend to be happier, more motivated and engaged and adopt a more
positive attitude when challenges occur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/columnists/superintendents-forum-a-resolution-for-resilience/article_44792376-5994-11eb-80a0-f74157aa1171.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/columnists/superintendents-forum-a-resolution-for-resilience/article_44792376-5994-11eb-80a0-f74157aa1171.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Get Philly’s kids
back in classrooms as soon as possible, Kenney and City Council tell School
District<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Our
children are suffering the most without in-person access to their teachers,
classmates and extracurricular activities," Kenney said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Jan 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">City
students urgently need to be back in classrooms as soon as it’s safe, Mayor Jim
Kenney and members of City Council told Philadelphia’s school board and
Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. on Thursday. COVID-19 has kept 120,000
Philadelphia School District pupils out of school buildings since March, and
there’s not yet a target date for any students to return. Every Philadelphian
has struggled with the pandemic, the mayor said, but no one has been hit harder
than the poor. Many children enrolled in the district live below the poverty
line. “Our children are suffering the most without in-person access to their
teachers, classmates, and extracurricular activities,” Kenney said. “We must
now embrace the next challenge facing our city — helping students return to
school safely and as quickly as possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-board-hite-reopening-20210121.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-board-hite-reopening-20210121.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Questions, concerns
raised after school board floats plan to extend PPS remote learning<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:agoldstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">agoldstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JAN 21, 2021 4:34 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Members of a
group of more than 70 local organizations concerned with equitable learning in
the Pittsburgh Public Schools during the COVID-19 pandemic want to know why the
school board might extend its fully remote learning model into the spring. The
Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative said it will urge the school board to provide
transparency as well as a rationale for introducing legislation that would
delay the start of in-person instruction in the district until early April. “The
communication about what the expectations are for getting back to open for some
populations of children are just nonexistent, or it’s muddled, or it’s
inconsistent,” said James Fogarty, executive director of A+ Schools, the
organization that spearheaded the collaborative. “We’re looking for greater
clarity.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/21/PPS-pittsburgh-public-schools-plan-extend-remote-learning-questions-concerns-education/stories/202101210121"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/21/PPS-pittsburgh-public-schools-plan-extend-remote-learning-questions-concerns-education/stories/202101210121</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Does reopening
schools cause COVID-19 to spread? It’s complicated | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Penn Live By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.pennlive.com/staff/theconversation/posts.html" title="The Conversation"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">The Conversation</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-a-imberman-1193989"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Scott
A Imberman</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/michigan-state-university-1349"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Michigan
State University</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">; </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dan-goldhaber-1193993"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dan
Goldhaber</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-washington-699"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">University
of Washington</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katharine-o-strunk-698331"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Katharine
O. Strunk</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, </span></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/michigan-state-university-1349"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Michigan
State University</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated Jan 21, 2021; Posted Jan 21,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The </span></i></span></span></span><a href="https://theconversation.com/us/topics/research-brief-83231"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Research
Brief</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is a short take about interesting
academic work.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The big idea:
</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">We found
that </span></span></span></span><a href="https://epicedpolicy.org/does-in-person-schooling-contribute-to-the-spread-of-covid-19/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">schools
can reopen</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> for in-person instruction without further
spreading COVID-19 in nearby communities if the number of people with the
disease is relatively low. But if there are more than 21 cases per 100,000
people, COVID-19 spread may increase. To reach this conclusion, we used data
from September through December 2020 in Michigan and Washington states – both
of which </span></span></span></span><a href="http://ippsr.msu.edu/state-policies-address-covid-19-school-closure"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">allowed
districts to decide</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> whether or not to offer in-person
schooling at that time – to analyze how these different instructional decisions
affect COVID-19 case rates. It’s hard to figure this out because other factors,
such as social distancing and the use of masks, could be to blame. So it might
appear that going to school in person makes COVID-19 spread, but really it is
due to safety habits – or the lack thereof – especially if those same
communities are more likely to send students back to school in person. We tried
to address this concern by including information in our statistical analyses on
such practices as mask-wearing in a community and how a county voted in 2016.
Political preference was an important factor to consider, because </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/01/masks-politics-coronavirus-227765"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Republicans
appear less likely</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> than Democrats to comply with COVID-19
safety measures. Republicans are also more likely to encourage in-person
instruction during the pandemic. Despite our findings, coronavirus very </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/washington-state-shares-little-data-about-public-schools-and-whether-coronavirus-is-spreading-or-not/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">likely
does transmit in schools to some degree</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. But the spread of COVID-19 there may simply
reflect what’s going on in the surrounding community. Kids and educators may be
just as safe in school buildings – or possibly even safer – than they would be
elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/does-reopening-schools-cause-covid-19-to-spread-its-complicated-opinion.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/does-reopening-schools-cause-covid-19-to-spread-its-complicated-opinion.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Banko said that because of the
pandemic, the district has seen a $500,000 increase in its cost for cyber
charter schools, pushing it over $2 million. Enrollment in the schools has
increased by another 40 to 60 students.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New Kensington-Arnold
considers property tax increase to address ‘bleak’ financial picture<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live </span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/brian-rittmeyer/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">BRIAN C. RITTMEYER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Thursday, January
21, 2021 5:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New
Kensington-Arnold School District’s financial picture for the coming school
year looks “bleak,” with officials considering raising taxes and burning
through the district’s reserves but still facing a deficit, according to Acting
Superintendent Jon Banko. “We’ve been about as fiscally responsible as we
possibly could be,” Banko said. “We closed two schools, we’ve reduced our
faculty, we’ve done a lot of things to keep the budget under control.”Property
owners in New Kensington-Arnold could see their school property taxes go up
nearly 7% for next school year. At the same time, the district’s preliminary
budget shows it spending more than $1 million than it would take in, depleting
its reserves and ending the 2021-22 school year in the red with a nearly $400,000
deficit. “It’s looking bad, but it’s not any different than it has been the
last four or five years,” Banko said. “We still want to be able to provide the
best education possible.” In a legal ad, the district said it might need to
increase property taxes by more than its state-imposed inflation limit, which
is 4.4%.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-considers-property-tax-increase-to-address-bleak-financial-picture/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-considers-property-tax-increase-to-address-bleak-financial-picture/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Issues
Legislative Victory Report<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 21, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PSBA has
issued its 2019-20 legislative Victory Report that highlights the advocacy
efforts and accomplishments of the association and our members during the
two-year session of the General Assembly. The association advocated for greater
state funding and won passage of critical new laws focusing on safety issues as
well as prioritizing the needs of schools and students during the pandemic. PSBA
also worked to fight new mandates and to defeat proposals that were bad public
policy, including voucher programs and restrictions on assessment appeals, and
heightened its call for reforms to the charter school law. PSBA provided
regular legislative updates and special reports and offered various
opportunities and assistance for members to connect with their
legislators. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/report/psba-legislative-victory-report/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Read
the report.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/psba-issues-legislative-victory-report/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/psba-issues-legislative-victory-report/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">“The Susquehanna Foundation is deeply
invested in reforming education through school choice, bolstering charter
options and providing tuition vouchers for low-income families. Yass actively
sought to influence education reform locally when he and business partners
Arthur Dantchik and Joel Greenberg </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/politics/mayor/20150324_Upping_the_ante_for_City_Hall.html#disqus_thread"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">threw millions behind</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Pa. Sen. Anthony Williams’ unsuccessful gubernatorial and
mayoral bids.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who is Jeffrey Yass?
The Philly-area billionaire whose cash supported election challengers<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A look at
his philanthropic history reveals consistent support for organizations
connected to extremism and white supremacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Billy Penn
by Layla Jones January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s
understandable if you hadn’t heard of Bala Cynwyd billionaire Jeffrey Yass
before this month.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Often
referred to as secretive or “</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.phillymag.com/news/2009/08/26/beating-the-odds/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">stealthy
and mysterious</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">,” he owns Susquehanna International Group, a
powerful financial and tech trading firm just across the Philly border on City
Avenue. Poker is considered a big part of their corporate culture, and the
firm </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/business/tiktok-susquehanna-bytedance-walmart-oracle-microsoft-philadelphia-fortune-15-billion-20201003.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">reportedly
holds a $15 billion stake</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in
TikTok. CEO Yass was recently </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/15/trump-republicans-election-defeat-club-for-growth?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">linked
to conservative political action committee</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Club for Growth in a report from
British news outlet The Guardian. What’s Club for Growth? The PAC threw
substantial support behind electing Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Sen. Ted
Cruz of Texas. The two senators were leaders of the movement to challenge
certified electoral votes for President Biden, elevating the unfounded claims
of voter fraud that helped incite the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://billypenn.com/2021/01/06/coup-attempt-charles-ramsay-police-commissioner/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">pro-Trump
insurrection at the Capitol</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in
early January.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://billypenn.com/2021/01/21/jeffrey-yass-philadelphia-billionaire-election-challengers-political-background/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://billypenn.com/2021/01/21/jeffrey-yass-philadelphia-billionaire-election-challengers-political-background/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">State Supreme Court
denies Dover's appeal; some students will go to Northern York<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/staff/4395465002/shelly-stallsmith/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Shelly
Stallsmith</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> York Daily Record January 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">More than a
couple hundred students will be trading in their Dover red and white for the
purple and white of Northern York. That became official on Wednesday when the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania announced it would not hear an appeal that could
have kept Washington Township a part of Dover Area School District. The state
department of education and Dover have been fighting the secession of the
township to Northern York School District for nearly 10 years. The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2020/06/16/dover-area-school-board-votes-to-appeal-court-ruling-secession-washington-township/3190164001/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">fight
went to the state Supreme Court</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> after </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2020/06/09/commonwealth-court-rules-washington-township-can-secede-from-dover-area-school-district/5319361002/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Commonwealth
Court ruled in June</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> that “the Pennsylvania State Board of
Education incorrectly interpreted standards and should have approved the
transfer.” Ralph McGregor, president of the Washington Township Education
Coalition, said that approximately 73 percent of the township’s taxpayers signed
a petition to leave Dover Area School District and join Northern York.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/01/20/pa-supreme-court-wont-hear-dovers-appeal-keep-township-students/4240279001/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/01/20/pa-supreme-court-wont-hear-dovers-appeal-keep-township-students/4240279001/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Central Valley adds
all-day kindergarten, despite concerns about cost<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/staff/3334496001/dani-fitzgerald/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dani
Fitzgerald</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Beaver County Times January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CENTER TWP.
–– All-day kindergarten will be a reality at Central Valley in the coming
years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The school
board was split during Thursday evening’s voting meeting, which took
approximately an hour and a half for public comment and discussion surrounding
the implementation of all-day kindergarten. The board voted 5-4 in favor
of implementing all-day kindergarten beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
School board members Thomas Mowad, Joe O'Neill, Dr. Nick Unis and George
Zaritski voted against the measure. Comments were also conflicting Thursday
night. Most residents who spoke said they like the idea of all-day kindergarten,
but don’t feel now is the right time. Several residents believe more discussion
should have been held with the community before the board voted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/education/2021/01/21/central-valley-adds-full-day-kindergarten/6666322002/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/education/2021/01/21/central-valley-adds-full-day-kindergarten/6666322002/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rural Schools Have
Battled Bad Internet, Low Attendance and Academic Decline Through the Pandemic.
Now the Push Is On to Return Students to Classrooms — Safely<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">This
piece is part of a </span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://inn.org/lesson-plans/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">collaborative pandemic
reporting project</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> led by
the Institute for Nonprofit News and member newsrooms. (See more </span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.the74million.org/series/rural-education-during-the-pandemic/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">rural
case studies at The 74</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">)</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The74 by Peter
Cameeron January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Andy and Amy
Jo Hellenbrand live on a little farm in south-central Wisconsin where they
raise corn, soybeans, wheat, heifers, chickens, goats, bunnies, and their four
children, ages 5 to 12. For the entire fall semester, the quartet of grade
school students learned virtually from home, as their district elected to keep
school buildings closed. That has put a strain on the family, as well as the
childrens’ grades and grammar. “I definitely feel like they’re falling behind,”
said Amy Jo Hellenbrand. “You just notice certain things as far as their
language and how they talk. You’re constantly correcting them.” As the first
full semester for U.S. schools during the pandemic comes to an end, education
experts and parents alike are concerned about its effects on children’s
academic progress. From the Mexican border to the Upper Midwest, Oregon to
Virginia and on Native American reservations across the West, that anxiety is
magnified in rural areas, which are far less likely to have access to
high-speed or even consistent internet in a time of extensive virtual
schooling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.the74million.org/article/rural-schools-have-battled-bad-internet-low-attendance-and-academic-decline-through-the-pandemic-now-the-push-is-on-to-return-students-to-classrooms-safely/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.the74million.org/article/rural-schools-have-battled-bad-internet-low-attendance-and-academic-decline-through-the-pandemic-now-the-push-is-on-to-return-students-to-classrooms-safely/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Free Market Facts and
School Choice<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Forbes by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Peter Greene</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Senior Contributor Jan 19, 2021,03:32am EST|634
views<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Last week</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html" target="_blank" title="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"> in
the New York Times</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, Timothy Snyder, historian and Yale professor,
became one more writer trying to make sense of the perils of post-truth
America. The essay is long and thoughtful about the power of big lies to tear
down a country and build up totalitarian government, and it works its way, in
part, to this conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">America will
not survive the big lie just because a liar is separated from power. It will
need a thoughtful repluralization of media and a commitment to facts as a
public good. </span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Treating
facts as a public good doesn’t just involve the media. It also involves public
education. The idea of facts as a public good runs counter to the philosophy of
school choice, which starts with the premise that schools provide a private
service for parents, not society at large, and that those parents should be
able to pick and choose. For Betsy DeVos, giving parents their choice of
schools in a free market system of education </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2017/01/17/betsy-devos-confirmation-hearing/96677472/" target="_blank" title="https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2017/01/17/betsy-devos-confirmation-hearing/96677472/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">was
a major policy goal</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, and many other choice advocates share her
belief in such a system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/01/19/free-market-facts-and-school-choice/?sh=2acb063c6a9b"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/01/19/free-market-facts-and-school-choice/?sh=2acb063c6a9b</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What the Capitol riot
means for civics education<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Fordham
Institute by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://fordhaminstitute.org/about/fordham-staff/dale-chu"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Dale
Chu</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 1.21.2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Still
reeling from the assault on the Capitol and the subsequent impeachment effort
against Former President Trump, the education sphere’s attention has
understandably returned to the need to resuscitate the teaching of civics and
history. If schools did a better job of grounding our students in the
principles of a free society and a basic understanding of U.S. history, laws,
and institutions, the thinking goes, the body politic might be less susceptible
to the inflamed passions animating today’s self-destructive behavior. Calls for
addressing America’s civic ignorance are nothing new, but they’ve taken on
heightened urgency in the dark shadow of sedition and insurrection. Sadly,
Americans’ thumbless grasp of civics and history is well documented and nearly a
cliché. According to the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, as of 2018, fewer
than </span></span></span></span><a href="https://woodrow.org/news/national-survey-finds-just-1-in-3-americans-would-pass-citizenship-test/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">one
in three</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> adults could pass the U.S. Citizenship
Test (</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/03/us/citizenship-test.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">the
old, easier version</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">). A survey by the Annenberg Public Policy
Center found that </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/americans-knowledge-of-the-branches-of-government-is-declining/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">only
a quarter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of Americans can name all three branches
of government—a task that my daughter, who is in kindergarten, has already
mastered. And the National Assessment of Educational Progress reminds us that
students’ knowledge of civics remains </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2020/04/27/latest-naep-results-show-american-students-continue-to-underperform-on-civics/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">dismal
and underwhelming</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Indeed, former talk show host Jay Leno
famously made a mockery of all of this in his </span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/WJlY9C7YWzI"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">“Jaywalking” segments</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, where ordinary Americans provided
cringeworthy responses to questions from the nation’s naturalization exam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/what-capitol-riot-means-civics-education"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/what-capitol-riot-means-civics-education</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When will snow geese
migrate to Middle Creek in 2021? Here's what you should know<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lancaster
Online by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/staff/mickaylamiller"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">MICKAYLA MILLER |
Website Producer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As February
approaches, one question is on the minds of many wildlife enthusiasts. When
will the snow geese flock to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area? Every year,
hundreds of thousands of talkative snow geese and other winter birds flock to
Middle Creek, an area nestled on the border of Lancaster and Lebanon counties
in Kleinfeltersville. During 2020's peak, upward of 125,000 snow geese made a
mid-migration pit stop at Middle Creek. The geese typically start to show up in
late January, with more and more gathering until the usual peak time of
mid-February to early March, said Lauren Ferreri, Middle Creek manager. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/sports/when-will-snow-geese-migrate-to-middle-creek-in-2021-heres-what-you-should-know/article_93fdab6e-5c06-11eb-a04b-fffe7d9d6eaa.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://lancasteronline.com/sports/when-will-snow-geese-migrate-to-middle-creek-in-2021-heres-what-you-should-know/article_93fdab6e-5c06-11eb-a04b-fffe7d9d6eaa.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Billie Holiday - Good
Morning Heartache<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube Runtime
3:05<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Billie
Holiday recorded Good Morning Heartache </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/onthisday?src=hashtag_click"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">#onthisday</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in 1946<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdFrzL3qOGE"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdFrzL3qOGE</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA School Funding
Lawsuit Overview for the Lehigh Valley Community</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jan 27, 2021 07:00 PM
<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Join
attorneys from the Public Interest Law Center and Education Law Center for an
overview of Pennsylvania's historic school funding lawsuit and learn how you
can help support the school funding Pennsylvania's children need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Registration:
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://krc-pbpc-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsdeqprzwoGtcpyrCS8bfh4Qet_qvthfjL</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you know someone
who is interested in learning more about the role of a school board director? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA will
host free sessions covering the core considerations for candidates who are
contemplating running for school board: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://ow.ly/eCSl50D7ABH"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">http://ow.ly/eCSl50D7ABH</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA SCHOOLS WORK: New
Tools for Public Education Advocates in PA<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thu, Jan 21, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Schools
Work partner Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials will hold a
digital workshop to roll out their new suite of tools on their Data Dive
website to show parents, educators, and public education advocates how they can
use the site (including interactive data maps and graphic visualizations) when
talking to other members of their community, legislators, media, etc. Don't
miss this first-look at these innovative tools for PA public school advocates!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Register here:
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://register.gotowebinar.com/register</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding
reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to
PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Resolution
for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-73481147778999343622021-01-21T08:54:00.000-05:002021-01-21T08:54:16.708-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 21, 2021: Why are public schools footing the bill for substandard cyber-charter education?<p><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why are public
schools footing the bill for substandard cyber-charter education?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman delivers a poem at Joe Biden's inauguration<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">YouTube 1,186,759 views Jan 20, 2021 Runtime 5:57<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9pyMqnBzk"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9pyMqnBzk</span></i></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“In order to right the ship,
comprehensive charter-school reform is essential. We know that the current
charter funding mechanism forces school districts to overpay cyber-charter
schools and overpay for charter special education costs by hundreds of millions
of dollars each school year. Until there is a change to the underlying policy,
school districts and taxpayers will continue to ultimately foot the bill no
matter how you slice it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why are public
schools footing the bill for substandard cyber-charter education?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Capital
Star by Art Levinowitz </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/author/capital-star-op-ed-contributor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Capital-Star
Op-Ed Contributor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Art
Levinowitz is president of the Pennsylvania School Board Association and a
school director in the Upper Dublin School District in Montgomery County.</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">When the
COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, school districts across the nation saw
a </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/8/27/21404899/virtual-online-charter-enrollment-growth-pandemic"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">huge
increase in cyber- charter school enrollment</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, including right here in Pennsylvania
where cyber charter school </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/education/pennsylvania-cyber-charter-schools-enrollment-coronavirus-20201019.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">enrollment
is up by 63 percent to 62,000 students</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> as of Oct. 1, 2020.< This trend
should have Pennsylvania parents and taxpayers extremely concerned because of
the immediate as well as long-lasting financial and academic implications this
enrollment increase will have on school districts and their students. Looking
first at the financial concern; school districts can expect as much as a $350
million increase in their cyber- charter tuition bills this year alone, due to
the pandemic-generated cyber charter school enrollment increases. It’s
important to keep in mind that this massive sum is only part of the overall
$475 million overall charter school tuition increase for this school year that
school districts are facing in addition to navigating through a global
pandemic. The $475 million increase in charter school tuition this school year
effectively nullifies the majority of the federal funds public schools received
under the CARES Act. This means most of those funds will not have their
intended impact – to aid our public schools in a time of crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/why-are-public-schools-footing-the-bill-for-substandard-cyber-charter-education/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/why-are-public-schools-footing-the-bill-for-substandard-cyber-charter-education/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">GASD Recognizes
Board, Voices Concern over Charter School Costs<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Gettysburg
Connection </span></span></span></span><a href="https://gettysburgconnection.org/gasd-recognizes-board-voices-concern-over-charter-school-costs/" title="11:53 am"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">January 20, 2021</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://gettysburgconnection.org/author/cstangor/" title="View all posts by Charles Stangor"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charles Stangor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Noting that
January is School Director Recognition Month, Gettysburg Area School District
(GASD) Superintendent Jason Perrin recognized board members for their service. “This
is a time for us to celebrate and recognize the challenging and vital work
boards do on behalf of our students, schools, and families,” said Perrin. Perrin
said the impact of the coronavirus epidemic had added an extra challenge,
saying “board members are tasked with making critical decisions quickly with
the best information available.” Perrin noted that board positions are unpaid
and the majority of school directors cite their desire to give back to their communities
and contribute to public education as their main motivation for their work. “School
directors are invested engaged in their communities. They are our neighbors,
friends, local leaders, parents, and engaged citizens. The job they do ensures
all our schools continue to provide opportunities for success for every
student,” said Perrin. Perrin noted the substantial work board members do
outside of meetings, saying their “service goes way beyond what people
realize.” Board member Carrie Soliday noted GASD had spent over $150,000 on
charter schools, and particularly cyber charter schools, in December. “It’s a
significant amount,” said Soliday. Soliday asked the board to consider talking
about a strategic plan to help families choose to move back GASD offerings,
saying the cyber charter schools “are the worst performing in the state.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://gettysburgconnection.org/gasd-recognizes-board-voices-concern-over-charter-school-costs/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://gettysburgconnection.org/gasd-recognizes-board-voices-concern-over-charter-school-costs/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: Mr. McAllister previously
worked for the Commonwealth Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">End the Blame Game:
Officials should embrace, not attack, public cyber charter schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NorthCentralPA
Letter by Lenny McAllister, CEO, Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter
Schools Submitted January 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">In March
2020, Gov. Tom Wolf closed Pennsylvania schools because of the pandemic. Ever
since, many school districts have struggled with providing effective virtual
learning platforms. Some had issues getting students online due to</span></span></span></span><a href="https://6abc.com/philadelphia-schools-school-back-to-in/6403960/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> internet accessibility problems and technology deficiencies</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Others struggled with gauging academic
progress and attendance. Many students missed key tests, with</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/all-pittsburgh-students-will-receive-passing-grades-as-district-struggles-to-meet-tech-needs/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> some receiving blanket passing grades</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Recent studies show that some 3
million students nationally</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/12/29/948866982/a-quiet-and-unsettling-pandemic-toll-students-whove-fallen-off-the-grid" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> may have dropped out of “school learning”</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> due to these shortcomings. A report
showed that </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/12/01/938048852/some-good-news-student-reading-gains-are-steady-while-math-slows-down" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">roughly one-fourth of the third through eighth grade cohort</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, including a disproportionate amount of
socioeconomically challenged students, did not take specific annual academic
assessments. In Pennsylvania, these issues have cropped up for months in school
districts despite district officials telling lawmakers for years that they
could provide online academic instruction better and cheaper than public cyber
charter schools. The pandemic has proven otherwise – here at home and around
America. In contrast, public cyber charter families didn't miss a beat.
Pennsylvania's cyber charters have been teaching online for more than 20 years.
These schools know how to use technology to educate large numbers of students
at home. As a result, thousands of families exercised their right under
Pennsylvania law to choose a public cyber charter school for their
children. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.northcentralpa.com/education/end-the-blame-game-officials-should-embrace-not-attack-public-cyber-charter-schools/article_e1974e10-5ad6-11eb-8dc4-83f310439751.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.northcentralpa.com/education/end-the-blame-game-officials-should-embrace-not-attack-public-cyber-charter-schools/article_e1974e10-5ad6-11eb-8dc4-83f310439751.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Starts Today! All
School Directors: Monthly Exchange (Zoom)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">JAN 21, 2021
• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Join other
PSBA-member school directors for cross-district networking and discussion on
education hot topics, legislative updates and advocacy strategies. All School
Directors: Monthly Exchange will be held via Zoom at 12:30 p.m. every third
Thursday of the month, January through June. Geographic-based breakout rooms
will be utilized to allow for discussion among school directors in the same
regions of the state. Register </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwod-yprD0tE9MdOH9IzClTjANh8Atjg1_z" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PPS board may extend
remote instruction into April<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:agoldstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">agoldstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JAN 20, 2021 5:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
Pittsburgh Public Schools board may extend the district’s fully remote
instruction model until early April as the school system continues to deal with
challenges posed by COVID-19. A resolution put before the board Wednesday would
delay the return of students until at least April 6, the beginning of the
2020-21 school year’s fourth quarter. Now, the district plans on having
teachers return Feb. 1, and students would be phased in beginning a week later.
“We have people who have very strong feelings on both sides of the issues.
There was a lot of discussion among board members as well,” board President
Sylvia Wilson said while introducing the resolution. “But — as it turns out —
this seems to be in the best interest overall in terms of health not only of
the students, but for their families as well as for the employees.” The board
will accept public comment on the plan Monday and vote on the resolution Jan.
27. Most students in the city have not been in a classroom since schools closed
in March in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/20/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-may-extend-remote-instruction-April-coronavirus/stories/202101200161"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/20/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-may-extend-remote-instruction-April-coronavirus/stories/202101200161</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Spring-Ford School
Board votes to return to in-person learning Feb. 4<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Evan%20Brandt%20ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com%20@PottstownNews%20on%20Twitter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evan
Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ROYERSFORD —
For the families who want it, Spring-Ford School District's upper grades will
return to in-person education four days a week starting Feb. 4. The decision
was unanimous and made Tuesday night by the school board during a special
meeting called to consider the question. The district already offers all-day
instruction in the lower grades for those families that want it, but the upper
grades have had to choose between all-virtual online instruction and hybrid
instruction with two days in-person and three days virtual. Robert Rizzo,
Spring-Ford's assistant superintendent, outlined the results of a survey sent
out to district families — a survey to which just over 46 percent
responded. About 44 percent of those who responded to last week's survey
indicated they prefer in-person education to virtual. The results showed that a
majority would prefer the four-day option, even though the six-foot social
distance could not be guaranteed in all classrooms, and definitely not in the
hallways.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/spring-ford-school-board-votes-to-return-to-in-person-learning-feb-4/article_c818d552-5b5e-11eb-827c-9300434787e6.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/spring-ford-school-board-votes-to-return-to-in-person-learning-feb-4/article_c818d552-5b5e-11eb-827c-9300434787e6.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two Lancaster County
school districts eyeing property tax increase<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lancaster
Online by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/staff/enellybetancourt"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">ENELLY
BETANCOURT | La Voz Editor and Staff Writer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> January 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two
Lancaster County school districts plan to seek exceptions that would allow them
to exceed the maximum property tax increase permitted for the 2021-22 school
year. The Pennsylvania Department of Education each year sets limits on how
much school districts can raise property taxes without either an exemption from
the state or approval in a voter referendum. The percentage, known as the Act 1
index, is calculated by averaging the percent increases in the Pennsylvania
statewide average weekly worker wage and federal employment cost index for schools.
Columbia Borough has the most flexibility, with a 4.5% maximum increase, while
Conestoga Valley, Eastern Lancaster County, Manheim Central, Manheim Township
and Pequea Valley have the lowest allowable increase at 3.0%. Most districts
contacted by LNP | LancasterOnline earlier this week said they are considering
not exceeding their index cap for next school year, with the exception of
Conestoga Valley and Hempfield.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/two-lancaster-county-school-districts-eyeing-property-tax-increase/article_973ec33e-5b67-11eb-8daa-f7dbb55cdbf0.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/two-lancaster-county-school-districts-eyeing-property-tax-increase/article_973ec33e-5b67-11eb-8daa-f7dbb55cdbf0.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What Biden’s
‘American Rescue Plan’ Would Do for Schools and Students, in One Chart<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Education
Week By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/by/andrew-ujifusa"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andrew Ujifusa</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> — January 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PresidentJoe
Biden’s COVID-19 recovery plan includes more than double the aid for K-12
schools that Congress approved in its last coronavirus relief plan, but how
much of it appeals to lawmakers responsible for passing any such blueprint
remains to be seen. The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-call-for-130-billion-in-new-k-12-relief-scaled-up-testing-vaccination-efforts/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Biden
team unveiled the plan</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, which has
a $1.9 trillion price tag, roughly a week before his Jan. 20 inauguration. It
got a warm reception from many education groups. The last aid plan signed by
former President Donald Trump in December </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/k-12-schools-get-57-billion-in-covid-19-deal-but-no-state-and-local-government-relief/2020/12"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">included
$54.3 billion</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in direct aid for K-12 public schools.
Yet many officials said that amount isn’t sufficient for the various and acute
needs of educators and students, especially since that December package doesn’t
include aid for state and local governments, much of which could ultimately
help local school budgets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Learn more
about Biden’s pitch in our chart below:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/what-bidens-american-rescue-plan-would-do-for-schools-and-students-in-one-chart/2021/01"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/what-bidens-american-rescue-plan-would-do-for-schools-and-students-in-one-chart/2021/01</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amanda Gorman
Captures the Moment, in Verse<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The youngest
inaugural poet in U.S. history will read “The Hill We Climb,” which she
finished after the riot at the Capitol. “I’m not going to in any way gloss over
what we’ve seen,” she says.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/alexandra-alter"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Alexandra Alter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Jan. 19, 2021Updated Jan.
20, 2021, 1:08 p.m. ET<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">About two
weeks ago, the poet </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/us/a-young-poets-inspiration.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Amanda
Gorman</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> was struggling to finish a new work
titled “The Hill We Climb.” She was feeling exhausted, and she worried she
wasn’t up to the monumental task she faced: composing a poem about national
unity to recite at President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/inauguration-day.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">inauguration</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. “I had this huge thing, probably one of the
most important things I’ll ever do in my career,” she said in an interview.<b> </b>“It
was like, if I try to climb this mountain all at once, I’m just going to pass
out.” Gorman managed to write a few lines a day and was about halfway through
the poem on Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters stormed into the halls of Congress,
some bearing weapons and Confederate flags. She stayed awake late into the
night and finished the poem, adding verses about the apocalyptic scene that
unfolded at the Capitol that day:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/books/amanda-gorman-inauguration-hill-we-climb.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/books/amanda-gorman-inauguration-hill-we-climb.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In inaugural address,
Biden says it is possible to teach children ‘in safe schools’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Californians
may be touched by executive orders he plans to sign<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">EdSource by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://edsource.org/author/lfreedberg"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">LOUIS FREEDBERG</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JANUARY 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">While
President Joseph Biden spent most of his inaugural address pleading for unity,
he also touched on an issue of deep importance to many American families:
getting children back to school during the pandemic. “We can teach our children
in safe schools,” Biden said in his address. He was alluding to his pledge to
make it possible for most elementary school children to return to school for
in-person instruction at least by the end of his first 100 days in office. It
was the only direct reference in his address to his </span></span></span></span><a href="https://edsource.org/2020/president-elect-bidens-exhaustive-education-agenda-expected-to-draw-greater-scrutiny/643292"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">expansive
education agenda</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">. Just how many children could return to
their classrooms, and when, could be affected by what happens to the $1.9
trillion stimulus plan Biden proposed last week in which he called for </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bidens-170-billion-proposal-for-schools-leaves-one-key-question-unanswered-11610741371" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">$130 billion in additional funds for schools</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to spend on costs related to reopening.
What will happen to the plan is uncertain. Much will depend on his ability to
get Senate Republicans to back it, unless Democrats are able to approve at
least portions of it through a process </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22217054/joe-biden-senate-majority-budget-reconciliation" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">called budget reconciliation</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, which requires only a majority vote in the
Senate. The fact that he pointed to it in an inaugural address very short on
policy pronouncements, as is the case in most inaugural addresses, underscored
the importance he is placing on the issue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://edsource.org/2021/in-inaugural-address-biden-says-it-is-possible-to-teach-children-in-safe-schools/647306"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://edsource.org/2021/in-inaugural-address-biden-says-it-is-possible-to-teach-children-in-safe-schools/647306</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">13,000 School
Districts, 13,000 Approaches to Teaching During Covid<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To assess
how public schools have navigated the pandemic and the impact on students, The
Times examined seven representative districts. The answers were strikingly
different.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/kate-taylor"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kate Taylor</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan. 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What does it
mean to go to public school in the United States during the pandemic? The
answer looks so different in different parts of the country, it is hard to tell
that we are one nation. In some rural and suburban areas, especially in the
South, Midwest and Great Plains, almost all students began the 2020-21 academic
year attending school in person, and they have continued to do so, except for
temporary closures during outbreaks. In many cities, the bulk of students
haven’t been in a classroom since March. And in some districts, like New York
City, only younger students have the option of going to school in person, with
many attending only part-time. With little guidance from the federal
government, the nation’s 13,000 districts have largely come up with their own
standards for when it is safe to open schools and what virus mitigation
measures to use. Those decisions have often been based as much on politics as
on public health data.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/schools-coronavirus.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/schools-coronavirus.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you know someone
who is interested in learning more about the role of a school board director? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA will
host free sessions covering the core considerations for candidates who are
contemplating running for school board: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://ow.ly/eCSl50D7ABH"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://ow.ly/eCSl50D7ABH</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA SCHOOLS WORK: New
Tools for Public Education Advocates in PA<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thu, Jan 21, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Schools
Work partner Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials will hold a
digital workshop to roll out their new suite of tools on their Data Dive
website to show parents, educators, and public education advocates how they can
use the site (including interactive data maps and graphic visualizations) when
talking to other members of their community, legislators, media, etc. Don't
miss this first-look at these innovative tools for PA public school advocates!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Register here:
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://register.gotowebinar.com/register</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding
reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to
PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">342 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-67572527924327976122021-01-20T10:04:00.000-05:002021-01-20T10:04:02.435-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 20, 2021: Follow the Money: Jeff Yass/Students First PAC<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Follow the Money:
Jeff Yass/Students First PAC<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger commentary: As of this morning,
locally elected volunteer school directors on the boards of 341 school
districts have passed resolutions calling for charter school reform. You might wonder why, after over twenty
years, Pennsylvania’s charter school law, described as one of the worst in the
nation, has not seen any substantive reform in the PA Legislature. Here’s a
group of articles, present and past, that might provide a clue…</span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">”Pennsylvania politicians are familiar
with Susquehanna founder Jeff Yass’ past </span></i></b></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/heardinthehall/Stock-traders-sink-665-million-into-Williams-campaign-for-mayor.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;">support</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"> for Philadelphia mayoral candidates and state officials,
particularly for those who support private and charter schools, one of his
favorite causes. In 2015 Yass and partners Arthur Dantchik and Joel Greenberg
wasted $7 million on State Rep. Anthony Williams (D-Phila.)’s run for Mayor of
Philadelphia; he was trounced by future Mayor Jim Kenney in the Democratic
primary by a margin of more than 2 to 1. Kenney enjoyed the support of the
city’s well-organized public-school teachers, whose union leaders have long
criticized charter-school expansion and public aid to private-school students,
which Yass and Williams supported.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bala Cynwyd
billionaire Jeff Yass feels betrayed by GOP stars he funded in Congress,
including some who denied Biden won<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Sometimes
politicians deceive their donors." A ranking by a campaign-finance group
placed Jeff Yass and his wife, Janine, as the ninth largest givers in the U.S.
for the last election cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/distefano_joseph_n/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Joseph
N. DiStefano</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Jan 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">J</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/business/tiktok-susquehanna-bytedance-walmart-oracle-microsoft-philadelphia-fortune-15-billion-20201003.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">eff Yass, the billionaire financial trader in Bala Cynwyd</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, is showing some buyer’s remorse over his
massive financial support for Republican politicians who have decried the
presidential election as stolen. In the last six years, Yass has given $43
million to Republican candidates nationwide and GOP-oriented political action
committees. One such PAC, called the</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pat-toomey-senate-joe-biden-20201213.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Club for Growth</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">, spent $3
million to help U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, the firebrand from Missouri who was a
leader among Republicans contesting the election. Now, a former stockbroker who
is a longtime acquaintance of Yass has made public emails in which the investor
denounced Hawley. “Do you think anyone knew Hawley was going to do that?” Yass
wrote. “Sometimes politicians deceive their donors.” The emails were released
by Laura Goldman, a former investment adviser turned freelance television producer
in Philadelphia. In them, she said in Twitter postings, Yass also wrote: “To be
clear – I don’t think the election was stolen.” Yass, 65, rarely, if ever,
speaks to the media, and he had no comment for this article. He keeps a very
low profile, but is one of America’s biggest donors. A ranking by the
campaign-finance watchdog, the Center for Responsive Politics, placed Yass and
his wife, Janine, as the ninth-largest givers in the United States in the last
federal election cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/yass-susquehanna-trump-hawley-toomey-contributions-20210119.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/news/yass-susquehanna-trump-hawley-toomey-contributions-20210119.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reprise October 2016:
PA Ed Policy Roundup for October 30, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="m_4034821535458182606_381194710815306977"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Follow the Money: Students First PAC
Spends to Privatize Democratically Governed Public Education In PA<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Blogger
note: Not familiar with Students First PAC? Here's a little background:</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2016/10/follow-money-students-first-pac-spends.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2016/10/follow-money-students-first-pac-spends.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“But the political landscape shifted two
years ago, when three executives at the Susquehanna International Group —
Arthur Dantchik, Joel Greenberg and Jeffrey Yass — spent more than $5 million
trying to elect Anthony Williams governor. Williams, a Democratic state Senator
from Philadelphia, had made vouchers the centerpiece of his quixotic campaign.
He finished an undistinguished third in the Democratic primary, but his
campaign signaled a turning point for voucher backers. "When you've got
millions of dollars, even if you lose, it puts a certain spring in your
step," says Larry Feinberg, a voucher opponent and founder of the Keystone
State Education Coalition.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reprise Nov. 2012: Want
to privatize schools? You might want to buy up an election cycle or two first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"If
people follow the money trail, they'd learn a lot about what's really going
on."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pghcitypaper.com/author/chris-potter" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Chris
Potter</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Pittsburgh CityPaper November 21, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">State Rep.
James Roebuck has been in politics for a quarter-century, but he'd never before
faced the kind of primary fight he had this spring. His challenger, Fatimah
Muhammad, was a political upstart with little history in the district. Yet she
was able to raise more than $230,000 for her campaign, seemingly overnight.
"I felt like the money was being poured on my head," recalls Roebuck,
a Philadelphia Democrat. Muhammad "put up billboards all across the
district, and had six or seven people working at every polling place." And
then there were the mailings, like the one blaring, "James Roebuck has
sold out our children to special interests." Finally, Roebuck says,
"My wife said, ‘I hate coming home, because I'm tired of always finding
mail about you in the door slot.'" Roebuck couldn't even tell where the
money was coming from. The "special interests" mailer — which blasted
Roebuck for the sorry state of Philadelphia's public schools — was sent by a
group billing itself as "Public Education Excellence." Roebuck had
never heard of the group, which state records show was created just weeks
before the election. Still, it contributed $7,500 directly to Muhammad's
campaign, while spending $4,000 on its own mailings. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Muhammad
could not be reached for comment. But a <i>City Paper</i> review of
campaign activity suggests that roughly half of her money came from a network
of political committees sharing a small group of contributors — and a common
goal: expanding the use of school vouchers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/want-to-privatize-schools-you-might-want-to-buy-up-an-election-cycle-or-two-first/Content?oid=1590243" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/want-to-privatize-schools-you-might-want-to-buy-up-an-election-cycle-or-two-first/Content?oid=1590243</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: For several years, Jeff
Yass’ Students First PAC has been one<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of
the top contributors to Pennsylvania candidates, primarily GOP, in support of
school privatization. Here’s a prior PA Ed Policy Roundup covering the recent
election cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be noted that
recipient Senators DiSanto and Martin are now serving on the PA Senate Ed Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk62019706"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Reprise Oct. 2020: PA Ed Policy Roundup for October 29, 2020</span></b></a></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk62019706;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk62019706;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Follow the Money: How
much of the $3.8 million in Students First PAC money have candidates received
leading into this election?</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Blogger note: </span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-election-campaign-finance-house-senate-tom-wolf-20201027.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">in an October 27<sup>th</sup> Spotlight PA article</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Matt Brouillette, treasurer for the Commonwealth Leaders
Fund – funded primarily by donations from the Students First PAC (Yass,
Dantchik, Greenburg) said that the group decides to get involved in races where
there’s the greatest opportunity to elect someone who will support expanded
charter schools and more tax credits that fund tuition at private schools.
Here’ s list of candidates that have received significant contributions from
the group and/or its other related PAC, the Commonwealth Children’s Choice
Fund:</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Heidelbaugh
for Atty
General $1,182,646</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">John
DiSanto <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $440,027</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chris
Dush <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $378,596</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Scott
Martín <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $271,560</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Andrew
Lewis <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $269,927</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Carrie Lewis
Delrosso $259,129</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Devlin
Robinson <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $212,067</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Rob
Mercuri <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $203,964</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Milou
Mackenzie <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $155,000</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jason
Silvis <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $132,180</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Larry
Yost <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $94,661</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Valerie
Gaydos <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> $66,224</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nicole
Ziccarelli <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $50,000</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Craig
Williams <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> $47,000</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Andrew
Holter <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> $26,682</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Howard
Terndrup <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> $23,897</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Doug
Mastriano <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> $10,000</span></i></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Source: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.campaignfinanceonline.pa.gov/Pages/CampaignFinanceHome.aspx"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.campaignfinanceonline.pa.gov/Pages/CampaignFinanceHome.aspx</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: Jeff and Janine Yass are
listed as donors contributing $5 million and above on the PSP website.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark Gleason, head of
the influential Philadelphia School Partnership, is leaving<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I would say
we’ve created better seats, we’ve created better access to information, but
better is not good enough,” said Michael O’Neill, PSP board chair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/graham_kristen_a/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristen
A. Graham</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Published Jan 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark
Gleason, who helped shape a group that has raised millions for Philadelphia
charter, private, and public schools in the last decade, will leave his post
this year, he said Tuesday. Gleason arrived in Philadelphia in 2011, recruited
to lead the new Philadelphia School Partnership, an organization with an
audacious goal: to raise $100 million to expand high-performing schools,
regardless of sector. The goal was to “transform the educational landscape of
our city, especially for low-income students and students of color,” organizers
said. Since then, Gleason has exerted influence in ways large and small,
largely through the power of deep pockets at a time when public-education
funding was scarce. After a decade, it was time to transition leadership of
PSP, Gleason and PSP board chair Michael O’Neill said Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-partnership-mark-gleason-20210119.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-partnership-mark-gleason-20210119.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia School
Partnership – Who We Are – Our Investors<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philaschoolpartnership.org/who-we-are/our-investors/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philaschoolpartnership.org/who-we-are/our-investors/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The SAT is dropping
its optional essay and subject tests<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">College
Board officials said the pandemic has "accelerated a process already
underway at the College Board to simplify our work and reduce demands on
students."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inquirer by Nick
Anderson, Washington Post Published Jan 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two major
stress points in the grueling rituals of college admission testing are
vanishing this year: the optional essay-writing section of the SAT and the
supplementary exams in various fields known as SAT subject tests. The College
Board announced Tuesday it will discontinue those assessments. Citing the
coronavirus crisis, officials said the pandemic has "accelerated a process
already underway at the College Board to simplify our work and reduce demands
on students." The testing organization, based in New York, also revealed
the launch of a process to revise the main SAT, aiming to make the admission
test "more flexible" and "streamlined" and enable students
to take the exam digitally instead of with pencil and paper. There were no
further details available on how the main SAT might be changed. David Coleman,
chief executive of the College Board, said more information would be coming in
April.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/sat-scholastic-assessment-test-college-board-changes-essays-subject-tests-20210119.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/education/sat-scholastic-assessment-test-college-board-changes-essays-subject-tests-20210119.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">‘We need a tax
increase’: Bethlehem school district staring down $10.7M budget hole<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="http://connect.lehighvalleylive.com/staff/ssatullo/posts.html" title="Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sara K. Satullo | For
lehighvalleylive.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Updated 6:30 AM; Today 6:30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/topic/bethlehem%20area%20school%20district/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bethlehem Area School District</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is starting its 2021-22 budget process
with a $10.7 million funding gap that will likely require a tax hike. But
the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/topic/bethlehem%20area%20school%20board/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">school board</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> indicated Tuesday night it does not
plan to ask the state for an exception to exceed the district’s 3.7% cap on
annual property tax increases. The board is scheduled to vote next week to
commit to staying below its Act 1 Index, a move that gives the district more
time to fine tune its budget before voting on it later this spring. School
board President Michael Faccinetto said the district is going to have to trim
down that $10 million as much as it can in the coming weeks. “We need a tax
increase this year. We discussed the 1% last year and ultimately didn’t do it,
which I still think was a mistake, because ... we find ourselves in a very
difficult situation,” Faccinetto said. “I think economically people in the area
are going to be in worse shape for an increase this year than they would have
been last year.” The district has passed a no tax increase budget for the past
two years, relying on its savings to close budget holes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2021/01/we-need-a-tax-increase-bethlehem-school-district-staring-down-107m-budget-hole.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2021/01/we-need-a-tax-increase-bethlehem-school-district-staring-down-107m-budget-hole.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lawsuit to reopen
schools dismissed impacting Unionville, Downingtown, West Chester<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pottstown
Mercury by </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:Fran%20Maye%20fmaye@21st-centurymedia.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fran Maye
fmaye@21st-centurymedia.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 20,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WEST CHESTER
— The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has dismissed a petition filed on
behalf of parents of students in the Unionville-Chadds Ford, Downingtown, West
Chester school districts and others by Open PA Schools to reopen schools. Open
PA Schools is an unincorporated association consisting of over 100 parents of
children attending public schools throughout Pennsylvania. The association
filed the lawsuit on Sept. 8, 2020, against the Pennsylvania Department of
Education, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera, Central
Bucks School District, Downingtown Area School District, Oley Valley School
District, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, Perkiomen Valley School District,
Great Valley School District, and West Chester Area School District,
challenging the decision not to open schools to in-person learning five days a
week for all students. Oral arguments were presented virtually this past
November. The court dismissed the petition late last week, upholding arguments
made by the Department of Education and the school districts that Open PA
Schools parents did not have "standing" to sue. The court concluded
the petitioners did not state sufficient facts from which the court could
conclude that they had sustained any harm or were aggrieved by the actions of
the school districts' and the Department of Education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/coronavirus/lawsuit-to-reopen-schools-dismissed-impacting-unionville-downingtown-west-chester/article_dec2ba40-476b-525b-a630-59a8d683bc0a.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/coronavirus/lawsuit-to-reopen-schools-dismissed-impacting-unionville-downingtown-west-chester/article_dec2ba40-476b-525b-a630-59a8d683bc0a.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It may be weeks until
Philadelphia teachers can get vaccine<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Chalkbeat
Philly By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/authors/johann-calhoun"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Johann Calhoun</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan 19, 2021, 6:26pm EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Philadelphia’s
health commissioner warned Tuesday that teachers might have to wait longer than
expected to get vaccinated. City officials said last week that they anticipated
teachers would get access to the vaccine beginning on Jan. 25. But Dr. Thomas
Farley cautioned Tuesday that the city has a limited number of doses and a
large number of people who qualify for vaccination during Phase 1B of the
city’s plan. “We are going to be gradually working down that list of frontline
workers,” he said. “I know people want to know what date we are going to get to
them [teachers]. I would love to give them a date, but unfortunately I can’t
because we don’t know how many of the people above them are going to want to be
vaccinated.” Teachers are considered frontline workers, but will have to wait
until others in the 1B group receive vaccinations. Those include first
responders, employees who work in corrections, service providers working with
vulnerable populations, and public transit employees. These groups will take
weeks to be vaccinated, at which point, additional prioritized groups will
start receiving invitations to schedule appointments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/19/22239658/it-may-be-weeks-until-philadelphia-teachers-can-get-vaccine"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/19/22239658/it-may-be-weeks-until-philadelphia-teachers-can-get-vaccine</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Prior to COVID-19,
states cut $600B in ed funding since Great Recession<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">K12 Dive by AUTHOR
</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.k12dive.com/editors/roger/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Roger Riddell</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><a href="https://www.twitter.com/K12DiveRoger"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@K12DiveRoger</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <b>PUBLISHED </b>Jan. 15, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dive Brief:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">A pair of reports released Thursday by
the Education Law Center — "</span></span></span></span><a href="https://edlawcenter.org/research/mtg-full-report.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Making
the Grade 2020</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">" and
"</span></span></span></span><a href="https://edlawcenter.org/research/$600-billion-lost.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">$600
Billion Lost:</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> State
Disinvestment in Education Following the Great Recession" — add
deeper context to the financial turmoil facing the nation's public schools
and further highlight the adverse impact states' education funding cuts
were already having prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">According to "$600 Billion
Lost," public schools lost a total of $598 billion in state and local
revenue in the years following the Great Recession, with PK-12 funding in
all but four states in 2018 representing a smaller portion of economic
activity than before the crisis. The report graded how equitably
states funded public schools based on three metrics: funding level,
funding distribution and funding effort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, "Making the Grade"
shows dramatic variations in school funding levels from state to state,
with those in the Northeast and Midwest generally trending toward higher
funding levels than the South and West. In the top states, funding
provided as much as 50% more than the national average of $14,548 per
pupil, while the bottom states were as low as 30% less.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.k12dive.com/news/prior-to-covid-19-states-cut-600b-in-ed-funding-since-great-recession/593447/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.k12dive.com/news/prior-to-covid-19-states-cut-600b-in-ed-funding-since-great-recession/593447/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">McConnell says Trump
‘provoked’ Capitol siege, and ‘fed lies’ to mob<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ahead of
Trump’s second impeachment trial, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's
remarks were his most severe and public rebuke of the outgoing president.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inquirer by Lisa
Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press Updated Jan 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WASHINGTON —
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday explicitly blamed President
Donald Trump for the deadly riot at the Capitol, saying the mob was “fed lies”
and the president and others “provoked” those intent on overturning Democrat
Joe Biden’s election. Ahead of Trump’s historic second impeachment trial,
McConnell’s remarks were his most severe and public rebuke of the outgoing
president. The GOP leader is setting a tone as Republicans weigh whether to
convict Trump on the impeachment charge that will soon be sent over from the
House: “incitement of insurrection.” “The mob was fed lies,” McConnell said.
“They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried
to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of
the federal government which they did not like.” The Republican leader vowed a
“safe and successful” inauguration of Biden on Wednesday at the Capitol, where
final preparations were underway amid heavy security.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/politics/nation/mitch-mcconnell-capitol-insurrection-mob-fed-lies-20210119.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/politics/nation/mitch-mcconnell-capitol-insurrection-mob-fed-lies-20210119.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the longest
four years, America is going to have a president again — a real one | Opinion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Centre Daily
Times </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:lpitts@miamiherald.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">BY
LEONARD PITTS JR.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JANUARY 19, 2021 04:51 PM, UPDATED
JANUARY 19, 2021 05:03 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And so we
reach the end of an unpresidented era.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
reference is, of course, to one of Donald Trump’s many Twitter misspellings,
this one found in his 2016 description of the seizure of a US. navy drone. He
meant to call it “unprecedented.” But Trump’s mistake gave us a coinage perfect
for this moment. For four years, America has been an unpresidented nation — in
some fundamental sense, a nation without a president. Yes, I know. Trump was in
the Oval Office, duly elected and sworn. When not golfing or tweeting, he even
performed some presidential duties. He attended summits. He signed documents.
He gave speeches. But those are not the only things a president does. A
president sets the tone. He ennobles and emboldens. He calls us up from the
minutiae of individual lives to the stirring vistas of national mission.
They’ve all done this, Republicans and Democrats alike, those you admired and those
you could not stand. Through war, scandal and economic disaster, they exhorted
us to vision and courage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Think
Franklin Roosevelt telling us “the only thing we have to fear.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Think John
Kennedy admonishing us to “ask not.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Think Ronald
Reagan calling us to “a shining city upon a hill” and George H.W. Bush showing
us “a thousand points of light.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Think
Lincoln appealing to “the better angels of our nature.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maybe, after
you’ve heard it often enough, you take for granted that this is just What
Presidents Do. Maybe you stop hearing it altogether. Maybe it becomes cliche. Then
one sudden day, it’s gone, all the high-flown language grounded, all the ideals
replaced by whatever is the opposite of ideals, replaced by that which is
coarse, mean, transactional, cynical, narcissistic and untrue. And that’s all
you get. No entreaties to higher ground. No paeans to higher purpose. That’s it
for four years. Four long, unpresidented years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.centredaily.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article248610300.html#storylink=mainstage_lead"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.centredaily.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article248610300.html#storylink=mainstage_lead</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This one was a request for today….<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sam Cooke - A Change
Is Gonna Come (Official Lyric Video)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA SCHOOLS WORK: New
Tools for Public Education Advocates in PA<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thu, Jan 21, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Schools
Work partner Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials will hold a
digital workshop to roll out their new suite of tools on their Data Dive
website to show parents, educators, and public education advocates how they can
use the site (including interactive data maps and graphic visualizations) when
talking to other members of their community, legislators, media, etc. Don't
miss this first-look at these innovative tools for PA public school advocates!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Register here:
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://register.gotowebinar.com/register</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding
reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to
PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">341 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073145669061741794.post-38001062816899195112021-01-19T09:55:00.000-05:002021-01-19T09:55:18.014-05:00PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 19, 2021: Important Enough to Repeat: This article should be required reading for new Pennsylvania legislators & staff: Virtual Reality: Cyber Charter Schools and The Need for Reform<p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">Started in
November 2010, daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now
reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors,
administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's
staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, superintendents, school solicitors,
principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher
leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations,
education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory
agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via
emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">These daily
emails are archived and searchable at </span></b><a href="http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeystoneStateEducationCoalition"><b><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition</span></b></a><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;">Follow us on Twitter at </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt;">@lfeinberg<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk27544204"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the
email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to </span></i></b></a><a href="mailto:KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27544204;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk505745975"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keystone
State Education Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk505745975;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a name="_Hlk4561395"></a><a name="_Hlk4561432"></a><a name="_Hlk53639209"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">PA Ed Policy Roundup for January 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Important Enough to
Repeat: This article should be required reading for new Pennsylvania
legislators & staff: Virtual Reality: Cyber Charter Schools and The Need
for Reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blogger note: this one is important
enough to repeat<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This article should
be required reading for new Pennsylvania legislators & staff: Virtual
Reality: Cyber Charter Schools and The Need for Reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.pabar.org/pdf/2021/PBA-Quarterly-CyberCharterSchools.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pabar.org/pdf/2021/PBA-Quarterly-CyberCharterSchools.pdf</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Joint Letter from PA Statewide
Education Organizations Asking the President, Secretary of Education, Senators
Toomey and Casey to Waive the Tests<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The PA
Principals Association believes it unrealistic and poor educational practice to
administer the PSSAs and Keystones this spring. Join us in asking </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/usdoegov"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@usdoegov</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/SenBobCasey"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@SenBobCasey</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/SenToomey"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">@SenToomey</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/waivethetests?src=hashtag_click"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">#waivethetests</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAPRINCIPALS?src=hashtag_click"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">#PAPRINCIPALS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/legislative/Joint%20Letter%20-%20Biden%20Casey%20Toomey%20-%20Student%20Assessments.pdf"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.paprincipals.org/resource/images/stories/documents/legislative/Joint%20Letter%20-%20Biden%20Casey%20Toomey%20-%20Student%20Assessments.pdf</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you catch our Monday postings?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cyber charters; ESSER II funding; Chester
Upland Charterization; Jeff Yass Donations…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Ed Policy Roundup
for January 18, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This article
should be required reading for new Pennsylvania legislators & staff: .Virtual
Reality: Cyber Charter Schools and The Need for Reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2021/01/pa-ed-policy-roundup-for-january-18.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2021/01/pa-ed-policy-roundup-for-january-18.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Biden picks Pa.’s Dr.
Levine to be assistant health secretary<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">WHYY By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/person/associated-press/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Associated Press</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Will Weissert January 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">President-elect
Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania Health Secretary </span></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-discrimination-pennsylvania-virus-outbreak-2702d3f6961f2c355c0c0f73018a1f5f"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dr.
Rachel Levine</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> to be his assistant secretary of health,
leaving her poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to
be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. A pediatrician and former Pennsylvania
physician general, Levine was appointed to her current post by Democratic Gov.
Tom Wolf in 2017, making her one of the few transgender people serving in
elected or appointed positions nationwide. She won past confirmation by the
Republican-majority Pennsylvania Senate and has emerged as </span></span></span></span><a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-health-pennsylvania-archive-0ea47128a21526aa9a1bbab69e9e6266"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the
public face of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://whyy.org/articles/biden-picks-pa-s-dr-levine-to-be-assistant-health-secretary-would-make-history-if-confirmed/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://whyy.org/articles/biden-picks-pa-s-dr-levine-to-be-assistant-health-secretary-would-make-history-if-confirmed/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Billionaire backer
feels ‘deceived’ by Josh Hawley over election objections<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jeffrey
Yass, Club for Growth donor, told associate he did not foresee senator’s role
in attempt to overturn US democracy<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Guardian
by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/stephanie-kirchgaessner"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Stephanie
Kirchgaessner</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> in Washington </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/skirchy"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> @skirchy</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Mon 18 Jan 2021 03.00 EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A
secretive </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/15/trump-republicans-election-defeat-club-for-growth"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">billionaire
supporter of Josh Hawley</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and
other rightwing lawmakers suggested he had been “deceived” by the Republican
senator from Missouri, who led the effort to overturn the results of the 2020
election. </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/15/trump-republicans-election-defeat-club-for-growth"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Billionaires
backed Republicans who sought to reverse US election results</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jeffrey Yass is a co-founder of Susquehanna
International Group – headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a critical
swing state – who has donated tens of millions of dollars to hardline
Republican groups who supported Donald Trump’s effort to invalidate his defeat
at the polls by Joe Biden. Yass privately told a longtime associate he had not
foreseen how his contributions would lead to attempts to overturn US democracy.
“Do you think anyone knew Hawley was going to do that?” Yass wrote to Laura
Goldman, a former stockbroker who has known him for more than three decades. “Sometimes
politicians deceive their donors.” Yass, who does not give interviews and
generally avoids publicity, also told Goldman he did not believe the 2020
election had been “stolen”, even though he has directly and indirectly
supported rightwing </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/republicans"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Republicans</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> who have repeatedly – and falsely –
sought to discredit the results.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/josh-hawley-billionaire-deceived-election-objections-capitol-attack?__twitter_impression=true"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/josh-hawley-billionaire-deceived-election-objections-capitol-attack?__twitter_impression=true</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Capitol attack gives
corporate donors sudden conscience; will it last?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Protesters
and their political enablers have been funded by corporate millions. The Jan. 6
attack on the U.S. Capitol interrupted some of the money flow. Will it resume?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Inquirer by </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/author/distefano_joseph_n/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Joseph
N. DiStefano</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Columnist Published Jan 18,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The founder
of the Marriott hotel chain chaired Richard Nixon’s inaugurals and hired
Nixon’s brother before that president resigned under threat of impeachment.
Last week, though, the firm </span></span></span></span><a href="https://therealdeal.com/national/2021/01/11/banks-join-marriott-in-halting-political-contributions-after-capitol-riot/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">led the list</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> of big U.S. companies that cut off campaign
money to Republicans who rejected Joe Biden’s election. We’ve grown so used to
corporations — and rich people and labor unions — funding our politicians. But
the ugly Capitol riot that accompanied the political assaults on
President-elect Biden’s legitimacy has made this “the right moment” to end
business as usual, says Mike Posner, a former State Department official who now
heads the Center on Business and Human Rights at New York University “Rejecting
a democratic election has turned out to be a bright red line,” he told me,
adding. “When a lot of companies say ‘That’s not OK,’ it changes behavior.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/columnists/capitol-protest-marriott-comcast-20210118.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://fusion.inquirer.com/columnists/capitol-protest-marriott-comcast-20210118.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lehigh Valley schools
look to emerging tech to make sure buildings are safe for classes: bipolar
ionization<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/mc-bio-kayla-dwyer-staff.html#nt=byline"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">KAYLA
DWYER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> THE MORNING CALL | JAN 19, 2021 AT 6:35
AM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s not
often school board directors need a science lesson before deciding to spend
hundreds of thousands of dollars. This year, as the science has evolved on
COVID-19 and best practices to mitigate the spread, several in the Lehigh
Valley have decided to pursue an air purification strategy that the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention still considers an “emerging technology,” though
its basic principals are as old as the Earth’s atmosphere. In normal times,
using a process called bipolar ionization to clean the air would seem a luxury
for schools. These days, it’s looking to directors like one more thing they can
do, often with money available from state-distributed coronavirus relief
grants, to try to make schools safer. So at least four Lehigh Valley school
districts have or are getting ready to install these unimpressive blue boxes in
their HVAC systems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-schools-bipolar-ionization-air-purification-20210119-r6tm6plr7ndctf5satiw3pujfi-story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-schools-bipolar-ionization-air-purification-20210119-r6tm6plr7ndctf5satiw3pujfi-story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ligonier Valley
school staff get covid vaccine; doses pending for those at Greater Latrobe<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/jeff-himler/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JEFF
HIMLER</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Monday, January 18,
2021 6:55 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Greater
Latrobe School District expects to have the majority of its staff receive the
first dose of the Moderna covid-19 vaccine before the end of January. Meanwhile,
neighboring Ligonier Valley School District confirmed that the better part of
its staff already has been vaccinated against the virus at the heart of the
ongoing pandemic that has disrupted in-person classes at area schools. Greater
Latrobe could learn on Tuesday if The Medicine Shoppe pharmacy in Latrobe will
have enough doses in time to vaccinate the staff on Saturday, according to
Assistant Superintendent Mike Porembka. If not, he anticipates the vaccinations
could be administered on the following weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/ligonier-valley-school-staff-get-covid-vaccine-doses-pending-for-those-at-greater-latrobe/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/ligonier-valley-school-staff-get-covid-vaccine-doses-pending-for-those-at-greater-latrobe/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Norwin to keep any
tax hike to 3.9% or less<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Trib Live by
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/author/joe-napsha/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">JOE
NAPSHA</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> | Monday, January 18,
2021 9:36 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Norwin
School District will not raise real estate taxes more than 3.9% for the
2021-2022 school year, under a resolution the school board approved Monday. By
passing the resolution under Act 1, the board members promise not to raise
property taxes more than the state-determined inflationary index of 3.9%. The
school board raised property taxes for the current fiscal year by 2.9% to
balance at $76.93 million budget. That 2.9% increase raised property taxes in
North Huntingdon, Irwin and Norwin by 2.4 mills to 84.8 mills. For the 18
properties in White Oak and South Versailles in Allegheny County that are
served by Norwin, taxes increased 0.36 mill to 12.72 mills. A Westmoreland
County homeowner with a property at the median assessed value of $22,130, is
paying an extra $53 a year. It was the first time in more than six years that
Norwin approved a budget that did not raise taxes to the maximum allowed under
the state formula, Superintendent Jeff Taylor said last year. Norwin could have
raised taxes by 3.4%.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-to-keep-any-tax-hike-to-3-9-or-less/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-to-keep-any-tax-hike-to-3-9-or-less/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hamlet to receive
yearly pay increases in new contract with Pittsburgh schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ANDREW
GOLDSTEIN Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:agoldstein@post-gazette.com"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">agoldstein@post-gazette.com</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> JAN 18, 2021 12:39 PM<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The
Pittsburgh Public Schools board will vote this month on pay raises and other
financial terms of Superintendent Anthony Hamlet’s new contract. The four-year
contract extension includes annual pay increases, performance bonuses and five
weeks’ vacation. School board members in August </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/26/superintendent-Anthony-Hamlet-contract-renewed-PIttsburgh-Public-Schools-PPS-board-vote/stories/202008260134" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">approved the renewal of Mr. Hamlet’s contract</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> through June 2025 by a vote of 7-2 and
must now agree on the compensation. If approved, Mr. Hamlet will
make $236,350 in 2021 — up from $229,372 in 2020. Then he’ll receive a
salary of $241,083 in 2022, a 2% increase; $248,316 in 2023, a 3%
increase; $255,765 in 2024, a 3% increase; and $265,996 in 2025, a 4%
increase. In 2016, his first year leading the district, Mr. Hamlet made a
salary of $210,000. In addition to the salary increases, Mr. Hamlet will
have an annual performance bonus of up to $15,000, 25 vacation days and 15 sick
days. School board members who voted to approve Mr. Hamlet’s contract extension
in August said that the district needed stability as it navigated the COVID-19
pandemic and pointed to modest gains in student performance and graduation
rates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/18/anthony-Hamlet-annual-pay-increases-new-contract-pps-pittsburgh-public-schools/stories/202101180077"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/18/anthony-Hamlet-annual-pay-increases-new-contract-pps-pittsburgh-public-schools/stories/202101180077</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After Capitol attack,
social studies and civics teachers struggle with real-time history lessons<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Washington Post
By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/joe-heim/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Joe Heim</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/valerie-strauss/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Valerie
Strauss</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan. 19, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">America’s
social studies and civics teachers have never felt more pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The United
States is in the middle of a traumatic month of political upheaval that, so
far, has included a violent assault by a mob on the U.S. Capitol, the
impeachment of the president for his role in directing that mob and his efforts
to overturn a legal election, and threats of right-wing violence in state
capitals. A new president will be inaugurated Wednesday in a city with areas
under military lockdown. And the educators responsible for teaching students
how government works — or is supposed to work — say they are trying to explain
and make sense of it all in real time for their students. It’s not easy. When
she reached out to social studies teachers across the country after the attack
on the Capitol, the common sentiment they were experiencing was “shock and
grieving,” said Emma Humphries, the chief education officer for iCivics, a
nonpartisan nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by retired Supreme Court
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to create content and games to promote civic
education in schools. “It felt like a day of mourning for social studies
teachers,” she said. “It might have felt like that for all of America, but they
were thinking about what they have to say to their students.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/social-studies-teachers-inauguration-lessons/2021/01/19/c39e616e-5752-11eb-a817-e5e7f8a406d6_story.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/social-studies-teachers-inauguration-lessons/2021/01/19/c39e616e-5752-11eb-a817-e5e7f8a406d6_story.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pandemic Teacher
Shortages Imperil In-Person Schooling<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The nation’s
schools need thousands of more teachers, full-time and substitute, to keep
classrooms open during coronavirus outbreaks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">New York
Times By </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/natasha-singer"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Natasha Singer</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jan. 19, 2021, 5:00 a.m. ET<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As exposure
to the coronavirus forced thousands of teachers across the United States to
stay home and quarantine this winter, administrators in the Washoe County
School District, which serves 62,000 students in western Nevada, pulled out all
the stops to try to continue in-person instruction for students. They exhausted
the district’s regular supply of substitute instructors. They asked teachers to
use their planning periods to cover classes for quarantining colleagues. Some
schools tapped principals, librarians, guidance counselors and other staff
members to teach classes or monitor lunch and recess. The superintendent even
filled in for an absent teacher. “We had to embrace an all-hands-on-deck
mind-set to keep schools open,” said Joe Ernst, an area superintendent who
oversees 24 Washoe County schools. But by late November, the virus had forced
so many teachers to stay home that the district was unable to cover some 2,000
requests for substitutes. Soon after, the district halted in-person
instruction, shifting all middle and high schools to remote learning until this
week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/pandemic-substitute-teacher-shortages.html"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/pandemic-substitute-teacher-shortages.html</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA: Upcoming PA budget
recap webinar Feb. 3rd<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">POSTED
ON JANUARY 15, 2021 IN </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/category/psba-news/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PSBA NEWS</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">On Tuesday,
February 2, Gov. Tom Wolf will present his 2021-22 state budget proposal before
a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the
governor’s budget address, the Senate and House appropriations committees will
convene hearings beginning March 15 on specific components of the proposal. The
PSBA Government Affairs team will be providing members with complete coverage
of the governor’s budget proposal, budget details and resources for school
boards on February 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Claim your spot for the budget
recap </span></span></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DTgWbWLqQTyVWvFDyRuPeQ" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">here.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2021/01/gov-wolf-to-present-budget-address-february-2/</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA SCHOOLS WORK: New
Tools for Public Education Advocates in PA<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thu, Jan 21, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PA Schools
Work partner Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials will hold a
digital workshop to roll out their new suite of tools on their Data Dive
website to show parents, educators, and public education advocates how they can
use the site (including interactive data maps and graphic visualizations) when
talking to other members of their community, legislators, media, etc. Don't
miss this first-look at these innovative tools for PA public school advocates!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Register here:
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://register.gotowebinar.com/register</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Attend the NSBA 2021
Online Experience April 8-10<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NSBA is
pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual
Conference & Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience. This experience
will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education
solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities. Join us on April
8-10, 2021, for a fully transformed and memorable event!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.nsba.org/Events/NSBA-2021-Online-Experience</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk61247012"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Spring Virtual Advocacy Day - MAR 22, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Website January 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All public school leaders are invited to join
us for our spring Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 22, 2021, via Zoom. We
need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center
around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public
education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our
spring Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to
locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to
help you have a successful day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Cost:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Complimentary
for members<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Registration:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Registration
is available under Event Registration on </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mypsba.org/product/2021-spring-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">myPSBA.org.</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/event/psba-spring-virtual-advocacy-day/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk61247012;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution
for charter school funding reform<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this
legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of
Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter
reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: <b>Adopt the resolution:</b> We’re
asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding
reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to
PSBA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2020-Resolution-for-charter-funding-reform.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/resolution-for-charter-funding-reform/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Link
to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53639209;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk53634513"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">339 PA school boards have
adopted charter reform resolutions</span></b></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk53634513;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Charter school funding reform continues to be
a concern as over 330 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution
calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law
to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality
and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from
school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform.
Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the
unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of
dollars to charter schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><a name="_Hlk41542648"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The school
boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for
charter funding reform. </span></i></a></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><a name="_Hlk43798609"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43798609;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk41542648;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then
Call for Charter Change!</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PSBA Charter Change Website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span></span><a href="https://www.pacharterchange.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.pacharterchange.org/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Network for Public Education Action Conference has
been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561395;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk4561432;"></span>
</span><p style="margin: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization that I may
be affiliated with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Lawrence A. Feinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305706422549183420noreply@blogger.com0