More Money Budgeted For PA Schools? Leading Lawmaker Weighs In
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Governor Wolf, in his current unfinished budget and in the one proposed for next year, proposes spending millions more on education.
One lawmaker says "more" doesn't equal "better."
Before touring Mastery Charter's Mann Elementary School in Wynnefield, House Education Committee Chairman Stan Saylor, a Republican from York County, said in some cases charter schools provide a better return on taxpayers' investment than traditional public schools.
He questioned spending more on so-called failing schools.
"It's not changing. No matter how much money we put in. So I'm a real believer, it's where you spend those dollars. Whether it's in a charter school, a Christian school, a Catholic school, whatever it is that we're dealing with. Those schools are the ones we need to emulate."
Mastery Charter CEO Scott Gordon says the lack of a state budget, though, has meant larger class sizes at his charter schools.
"I think it's an extremely serious situation. I think the welfare of our children is at stake."
But Saylor says Governor Wolf's idea of a budget compromise is going from a $4 billion tax increase to a $2 billion tax increase.
Gordon says he has not considered shutting down his charters because of the budget gridlock, but he says if the stalemate drags on, he'll have to consider Plan B or Plan C.
