Protect Pennsylvania's future: Save PA Schools

Read what Pennsylvanians have to say about the importance of PA children and schools

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Many students in and around Philaelphia have been deprived of a quality education for many many years. In some cases their grandparents and parents have atttended schools that did not provide them with a quality public school education. These family's also have suffered serious social set backs. In years gone by the political environment paid little to no attention to either the social or educational needs of these family's. The impact of a poor education system and the lack of quality family health services in the neighborhood's in which the schoold are located have caused serious set backs. The past 2-3 years have been different; in Philadelhia. Additional social & classroom supports have been made aailable to student. More attention is being paid to the needs of parents/caregivers. These additional student/family supports make it possible for students to attend school more regular and to also be better prepared. To take those additional supports away would result in the type of tail-spin that the student, family & community may not be able to recover from. Spend the money on the end or continue to spend more money on the end spelled prison. Now I understand that some people make their earnings on the end speled prison. That small group may benefit; from the prison profits; but far to many children, family's and neighborhood's fail. If the family continues to fail, if we continue to put dollars/resources in other area's America will fail. My prayers are with the the children their family's & community and therefore America.

Vern Johnson from Philadelphia, PA
 

YOU, government officials, are where you are, largely because of the education you received and the doors it opened for you. But realize that today it is even MORE important to educate our children in schools by providing the best - in teachers, in reading and math materials, and in at least basic technology!

Care for our children and our grandchildren by passing a budget that acknowledges, understands, that proves your commitment to our children and our future. Letting the children down is going to cost ever so much more in law enforcement, future renovations of needy buildings, loss of good teachers to unemployment lines or more lucrative fields. You won't save in the long run. You will lose more than money -- You will lose both respect lose the strong future education will build.

Kathy Bussells from Collegeville, PA

I believe in Early Childhood Education!!!! I have been in the field since 1989. I taught previously in Florida and now have been teaching in Newtown, Pa. for the last 4 years. I cannot express enough about the importance of early education. As preschool teachers, we lay the foundation that will incredibly enhance the learning process for children to enter at the Elementary School level. The social skills that are being promoted because of the opportunities to "share", "get along with others" and yes even "problem solve" enhance the "whole child". So, please keep funding education on all levels so we can provide opportunites to all the children of PA.

Janet Allen from Levittown, PA

Why would you take away money from children who just want to learn? This is preposterous! The state government  should be investing in the future of kids... not elimimating programs and funding that help kids stay out of trouble and actually learn something! If the federal govt. is making schools follow NCLB than why are you guys doing the opposite of that by cutting funding for schools?

Denise Pagana from Harrisburg, PA

As a 5th grade teacher, it is vital that we maintain smaller class sizes.

Cortney Kezmarsky from Uniontown, PA

We all should know the reasons not to cut back on PA kids education. You'll have a city with no future and no jobs. Cuts should be considered a violation to kids' rights to learn!!  Learning is the key to living and if these kids can't be taught how to live, then what future will they have?

DeAja Dixon from Philadelphia, PA

I support funding for our schools because as a parent I want my son to have a good education.  If the schools do not have funding then we loose teachers to other states and schools.  It is one of the things that, regardless of our economy, CANNOT be cut.  We need our children to have the same advantages of our schools and states.

Heather Sloss from Port Vue, PA

I believe that our children are the pathway to our future. They deserve every chance at an education to earn their spot in this globalizing world. In order for America to remain competitive long after the baby boomers are gone, there needs to be others to take their place. Children with understanding and intelligence on how to live in this world and compete and stand out in this ever globalizing world! They deserve the very best education they can get. We are America, we are the best country in this world, and its through education that we will remain the greatest.

Kerry from York, PA

I have read other comments from people on this site and feel that the most important things that needs to be said is that we, the citizens of PA, will not stand for cuts in funding for the PA school system. If this does get passed in a negative manner then anyone involved in this should not remain in office. Plain and simple. People need to get stirred up about this.  The children would be the victims here. The future of our state and country depends upon quality education.

Mary from York, PA

A no vote for K-12 education has no conscience.

Pat Kriley from Grove City, PA

As a senior at IUP studying to Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, I see first hand the impact that teachers make on the children of tomorrow.  Not only do we teach, but we shape the minds of children. With the class sizes being the size they are, most often times children get the attention they need. With 17-28 children in a classroom, the children are in an environment where they know the adult in the room cares about them and their success. By shutting down state funding for schools in PA, you are taking that comfort away from the children of the future. These experiences from school stick with children for their entire lives. It's not something easily forgotten. 

Also, coming from a very small town I rode my bus for 45 minutes in the afternoon to get home. In the rural area where we live, my school was only 10 minutes straight from home; but due to the route it took me that long to get home. If lawmakers cut funding for schools, I would hate to see how long children would have to ride the bus to get to school. If a child has to get on the bus at 6:30 in the morning to be at school by 8:00, who would want to learn after an hour and a half bus ride.

I think that our state government needs to step back and see just what they are affecting.  

Children need small class sizes and teachers who care for them.

Kayla Foust from Homer City, PA

Public school funding is necessary, elemental and indispensable in cultivating a population that is purposeful and ready to meet the challenges ahead.

As a parent of a learning disabled child; I am especially sensitive to any discussion regarding public school funding as it directly effects our child.

We need to consider our actions as they directly impact our future regionally and  globally. Our children are our future!

Consider this when making decisions on public school funding.

Christopher R. Doerbecker 2nd from Saylorsburg, PA

Pennsylvania CAN'T afford to underfund its schools.  We all owe it to the children of this state to provide the best possible education to all - not just to those in wealthy school districts. An excellent education is right that the citizens of PA deserve.  If increased taxes are necessary to provide this excellent education, so be it.  It is a contract that each American generation has with the generations that are follow.

Marilyn Rothberg from Malvern, PA

Shame on the lawmakers who want to cut public school funding!  We cannot afford to continue running high-quality public education without the necessary funding from the state.  Something needs to redone with public education and ensuring that ALL children regardless of where they live have equal access to quality education.  Why should a child in a more well off area have better than a child in a poor area?  Equal education for all children of our state AND country. PA lawmakers have placed high standards on our schools, now fund them!

Robert from Pittsburgh, PA

My daughter is a teacher and I know she already uses a lot of her own funds to support her classroom.  Public schools need all the support they can get and more.  Our children need to receive the best education they can get and so does our country.

Kathy Preston from Haverton, PA

There is no other way to guarantee the success of any society than to provide education. Though equality in education is a utopian ideal, free and appropriate education is the only way to begin to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots.

Sherri Miller from Washington, PA

With today's diverse classrooms, students need teachers and programs that support the changing population!

Mary from Pittsburgh, PA

Don't cut the funding for Education,  with out it we have no future.  My daughter's kindergarten class had 23 students in it.  With the reduction of cost it will eliminate positions and classes will only get larger.  How are our children suppose to learn?

Robin Fitcher from Munhall, PA

Please do the right thing and support increased funding for out schoolchildren and for Pennsylvania's future.

Holly Petriskey from Hawk Run, PA

Cutting education in Pennsylvania is like taking the future away from our children. The state wants the students of PA do well on things such as the PSSA but aren't willing to furnish the materials needed to help them be successful. Education is more than the PSSA. How can students learn to use computers, if they don't have them in their classrooms.

Who is left to get materials for the classroom if the state does not provide district's with the money? The teachers who care about giving our students a quality eduaction, are the ones who buy things for the classroom. Many teachers spend $500 to $1000 a year because they care about educating the future. It should not be a teacher's responsiblity to purchase classroom resources out of pocket because their district can't afford it because the state won't give them the money to spend on quality education.

In second grade, I decided to be a teacher because I loved school and learning. Teaching is my PASSION. I will continue to teach my students and make them love learning. I just wish the lawmakers of Pennsylvania felt the same way. We are educating our future. We will have no future with cuts to education.

Rachel Sawyers from California, PA

How can you take education away from children?? Especially in today's day and age when we want our children to go to college and succeed. We need to give our children what they need. PA students are making progress....why take that away from them???

Kristen Thompson from East Stroudsburg, PA

Our state budget must include additional funding for basic education.  Our families, our students, our society cannot afford to face cuts that will effect our future.  The schools and the personnel that staff them are the critical foundation to the general well-being of this great state, and our country.  Over the course of the last 34 years in this fine and rewarding profession of teaching, I have seen the budgets debated and voted, but never has there been such a critical time for additional funding.  Talks of decreasing funds for basic education are quite disturbing.  Our children, our families, our staffs should not be disregarded.  Together, we are the future.

Increase funding now.  Through tough economic times in the past, it has been proven that education is the way out and beyond for growth and prosperity.  Have the spirit to stand up for our future.

Sue McAllister from Bethel Park, PA

I have the privilege of witnessing first-hand the incredible impact the Educational Assistance Program (EAP), Accountability Block Grant (ABG), and Pre-K Counts is having on our PA children. If we can just hang in there a few more years and continue to fund these programs, these kiddos will be in the PA work force and everyone will feel the benefit of this worthwhile investment in ALL of our lives!!!!

Tina Swineford from Altoona, PA

Teaching is not my job, it's my passion; and over the past few years I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a Pennsylvania teacher. I look at Pennsylvania as one of the top states in education, and would like that to continue.
Money buys tutorial programs, technology, and other educational resources, all of which are necessary for student success.

These children are our future. They are our next president, our future doctors, our future lawyers and supreme court justices, our scientists, and our inventors.

Look at the Pennsylvania education budget as an investment for a better tomorrow.... not just another number.

Melissa Kattouf from Allison Park, PA

There is no greater gift to the youth of our society than a well-rounded education rich in research-based strategies and a curriculum strong with art, music, physical education, and technology integration.  Seeing the progress that young children can make is incredible.  Support our public schools!

Jessica Gilbert from PA

I hope our legislators realize that when we prioritize education, we are investing directly in our future.  To produce highly qualified and educated students, we need the resources.  Teachers see it everyday!!!!

Sherry Sterling from Fairview, PA

I cannot believe that government officials would EVEN think about cutting funding for public schools! We live in AMERICA, land of opportunity!

Diana Reitz from Jeannette, PA

Lawmakers, you will be doing a great disservice to all of our students and schools if you cut funding in education!

Anthony from Scranton, PA

Our lawmakers need to invest in our most valuable natural resource--OUR CHILDREN. My district is thinking about not replacing a music and an art teacher on the elementary level.. The arts are important. 

I read that college students are losing the financial help they recieved in the past and state college tuition will keep going up.  Many of these students will have to drop out.

Barbara Simington from Sunbury, PA 

You cannot cut school by millions. My students will suffer more than you can imagine. Please help me educate my students to be the best they can be.

Marianne Donahue from Harrisburg, PA

Public education is the cornerstone of our nation. If the stone begins to crumble, then we're all in trouble. Just remember that these children are out future. We need to invest in them.

Stephanie from Allport, PA

Cutting public school funding will harm the districts that rely most on state funding.  These are the same schools that have grown in their abilities to educate students recently.  These cuts will throw education under the bus.  It seems to me that creating a stimulus and then having the states cut funding creates a wash leaving PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEHIND. It is unfortunate that the people making decisions for public schools that rely on funding to meet the education of its students, either send their children to private schools or their children attend schools that do not rely as much on funding to succeed.  I am here to speak out for all the children who attend schools that rely on funding.  Please do not forget about them!!!!!!!!
 
Connie Joseph from Pittsburgh, PA

Cutting education and library budgets when times get tough is the equivalent of eating your seed corn during a famine. It may keep you alive for now, but you're guaranteed to starve to death next year. We need to invest in our schools and libraries to help our kids get the education they need and to help our citizens get the vital library services they need to prepare for and find new jobs.
 
Margaret Plotkin from Philadelphia, PA

IF we believe that education is the key to the future of our children...and ultimately for our own future.... because they will be taking care of the world in which we are going to grow old, there has to be a better way to prepare for the future than by cutting back educational funding in the present.

Bonnie M. Resinski from Loretto, PA 15940 

It was best said on this very website..."our students can't wait for better economic times for the opportunities they need to succeed." The No Child Left Behind program has done enough to jeopordize the educational value of our childrens' schooling, cutting budgets would destroy it all together!

Devon Markarian from Scranton, Pennsylvania

A daughter of two retired teachers, I am all too familiar with the looming budget cuts and their effect on education. While I know times are tough, I also know that they will only get tougher if children are handicapped with a lack of proper education. I am not yet a mother, but when I become one, I want my children to have the same opportunity of a sound education that I was provided.

Angela Dimmick from West Chester, PA

Pennsylvania CAN'T afford to underfund its schools.  We all owe it to the children of this state to provide the best possible education to all - not just to those in wealthy school districts. An excellent education is a right that the citizens of PA deserve.  If increased taxes are necessary to provide this excellent education, so be it.  It is a contract that each American generation has with the generations that are follow.

Marilyn Rothberg from Malvern, PA 

Cut funding on education?  Are you kidding me? How dare anyone even consider cutting education funding!  Unbelieveable!!! It's ridiculous!!

Lynn from Jim Thorpe, PA

I don't believe that Pennsylvania can afford to jeopardize its future by cutting funding for the education of our youth. In addition, I believe that such a deep funding cut would especially hurt disadvantaged, mentally and physically disabled students who need extra attention and special care to reach their full abilities.

I cannot believe that Republicans are not willing to work with the Governor on the tax increase or revenue generation of some kind. I don't hear the public having extraordinary objections to an increase in taxes. I don't. Bush got this country in the bad shape it's in, and cost cutting alone is not going to get us out of this situation. I believe that we need to cut expenses and get more efficient where we can, and also increase taxes to help continue programs that are essential to the future of PA and the United States.

Pamela Grove from Allison Park, PA

The vision of a Pennsylvania that prospers in the 21st century attracting and growing the jobs of the future, green jobs, high tech jobs, biomedical research jobs rests on an investment in human capital. The measures undertaken in recent years to reverse decades of underinvestment in education, (not to mention inequities in funding), is just the kind of investment necessary to propel our state forward. Retreating on this promise, this investment, this vision is a move backward. It is shortsighted and short term. Bold and courageous leadership is needed from our legislators to insure fidelity to the vision and not sell our state short. Have faith in us. We understand the need for additonal revenues to make this happen and we are willing to sacrifice to provide those revenues. How many times have we recently heard that the public is waiting for its leaders to call upon us to sacrifice to make a better future? WE are ready; we just need the call.

Joseph W. Rodgers from Abington, PA

Please do not cut state funding for education!!! Don't skimp on our future!!

Angie from Millville, PA

We need to fund Pennsylvania public schools.

Marcia Maloni From Gibsonia, PA

Especially when times are tough, we cannot be shortsighted and risk the future of our children! A good education today is more important than ever. Unfunded or underfunded mandates are already making things difficult for schools. Cutting their funding will just make it worse.

Lynne Smith from Mechanicsburg, PA 

Please do not cut funding on education...our children are our future.

Patricia Pavolko from Homer City, PA

I cannot believe they are even thinking about cutting education funding! Outrageous! The best way to have a bright future for PA to educate the young minds of today. I would rather have higher taxes (we live in a great country; why not pay more for that wonderful privilege and be glad we were not born in a third world country). We take living here for granted.  So let us pay a little more and fund education and libraries to help our communities and children.

Sherri Maret from Shippensburg, PA 

I am a first year Classrooms for the Future (CFF) Technology coach in our school and I have to say that with only ONE year under our belt, our rural school has made considerable progress in transforming our students into 21st century learners. The kids are learning new skills that will help them study and work in the 21st century more efficiently. These skills will not be continued to be taught. We need to see funding for CFF to continue to develop our youth and prepare them for the 21st century workforce. Please fund CFF. I see it first-hand, it's working!

Nick Paolini from Saegertown, PA 

Don't cut our funding!  We are understaffed as it is.

Melissa Shingler from Hummelstown, PA

Funding for PA schools should NOT be cut!  Where is all the gambling money going? 

Susan from Tower City, PA

The foundation of every state is the education of its youth. - Diogenes Laertius. Don't turn the clock back on education!!

Janet from Mars, PA

Cutting funding for education in PA is like pulling the RUG OUT from under our children and future! I remember I voted for Rendell and his administration solely on his promises to increase funding in education.  I believed Ed and Dr.Z were doing a pretty good job of this with PreK Counts and Classrooms For the Future, however, if this budget cut happens they will leave a black mark on their legacies of Governor and Secretary of Education so fresh in the new millenium!

Leslie Rupp from Altoona, PA

Finally, our students are making progress. Our schools are meeting Annual Yearly Progress and students are competing well with other nations. If funding is cut, it will directly affect students education and the progress that has been made.  Our students deserve our best - they will be our future!

Terry Plank from Mt. Union, PA

The need for public school funding is without a doubt needed now more than ever. Growing student/teacher ratio and cut backs in academic programs will not provide our children with the opportunity they need to compete in our world's society. Lawmakers in Harrisburg need to consider other cut backs such as casinos which only benefit one specific area and perhaps cutbacks in their own salaries. I wonder how many of our state representatives send their children to public schools. It's time to let our educators have a say in what happens in our classrooms rather than leaving all the decisions up to people that have no idea what things actually benefit students progress.

Leslie from Prompton, PA

"We are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday, and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet." -Margaret Mead

Are we in Pennsylvania preparing our children for the future if we continue to cut funding for their schools?

Linda Hanlon from Jeanette, PA

Many schools in Europe can speak multiple languages by the time they are ten. Kids in American struggle with one other language when they graduate high school. We need the teach them more not less. Five kids from my elementary class of almost thirty when to college. That number is entirely to small!! Don't cut the educational funding, increase it!!

Derek Detar from Vandergrift, PA

Our district struggles every year with having the funds and resources necessary to provide our students with the opportunities to be successful in today's world. Despite these obstacles, our teachers, support professionals, and administrators have worked extremely hard to provide for students whenever and wherever possible. The promise of additional help from the new state funding program was a beacon of hope in the struggle. This light must not be extinguished. School districts such as ours desperately need these funds in order to maintain the quality education our students deserve.  We owe it to our children to help them move forward and live the best lives they can!

Stephen DiNenno from Norristown, PA

Anything and everything we can do to support quality education for each and every student, educator and community will foster a richer future for all the citizens of the state of Pennsylvania. As a former educator and tax payer I only wish that each dollar is being utilizied to it's fullest value.

Ken Bollinger from Kreamer, PA

We must continue to fairly fund our schools! In order for students to achieve and be prepared for life after high school in a global 21st century world, we cannot cut funding; rather, we should be increasing funding and supporting programs like pre-kindergarten, tutoring, professional development and smaller classes that have shown positive results with all students achieving! We need to invest in our future now--do not cut school funding!

Rachel L. Machen from Pittsburgh, PA

We need to ensure our children are properly educated and to even think about taking money away from the schools is a crime. Perhaps it's time for the PA lawmakers in Harrisburg to take a cut in their salary.

Nancy from Lancaster, PA

Education is the foundation for our society. Without it, our population will suffer similar problems as nations around the world. Our schools are functioning with the current budget only because teachers spend half of their already minimal salary on supplies for their students and classroom. The budget shouldn't be cut, it should be increased and allocated to districts that cannot even afford basic necessities, as well as other districts in need. If we take and take from an institution created to improve the quality of our nations people, what do we expect our society to become? If we have anything, it is the ability to educate our communities. Education is the only power we may end up with, and we need to make sure it doesn't suffer cuts so it can maintain and improve.

Ashley Mascho from Wellsboro, PA

Our public schools are the making of our Democracy. They are the only institution where all children - race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation not withstanding - are guaranteed the same chance for success. They are America's great equalizer and the bedrock of our way of life. If you want to know what life would be like without our public schools, just look at any number of oppressive regimes around the world. You'll find that first and foremost, free and equal education is lacking. Protecting our state and country's future means not reneging on the social contract with our children. Funding public education is guaranteeing the future - for everyone.

Myra from Dillsburg, PA

"Turning back the clock" on schools = dumb idea.  Investing more in schools = a more competitive workforce and more happy lives.

Pete from Harrisburg, PA

Don't cut funding for schools. I don't understand how Harrisburg has money to spend to build new casinos, but doesn't have money for education.

Lance Parmer from Sinking Spring, PA

I can't understand why there is any question about funding our public schools. If we're going to invest our tax dollars in anything, shouldn't it be the future of our children?

G. Gardner from Hollidaysburg, PA

I am a senior in high school this coming year. I have quality education because the state has funded enough money to keep the classrooms current. The Classrooms for the Future campaign is also another thing that makes my education better. It would be a crying shame if that program was ousted.

Greg from Muncy, PA

My three children and four grandchildren are successful because of Pennsylvania schools and teachers. Please give future generations new chances to succeed and keep giving state funding for our schools!

Harriet Fleisher from Marysville, PA

I just saw your ad -- please keep fighting for our schools. My daughter had more than 20 kids in her class from grades 1-3. Don't let them cut funds and make class sizes grow!

William from Mechanicsburg, PA

Too much attention and money has gone into bailing out the banks and the corporate world. Our lawmakers need to focus on supporting the funding for our public schools. Our children are the future of this country and we need to support them by raising the bar and increasing  the funding, not reducing it! Lawmakers, do the right thing! Support funding for our PA public schools.

Dorene Stango from Morrisville, PA

I am a product of a strong public school system. My mother was divorced with 2 kids before the age of 20 due to the unwillingness of my father to assume the responsibilities needed to parent children.  We depended on public financial assistance & a strong public school system.  I am now working for the same system that gave me & my brother a chance.  I am a taxpaying member of society.  The great equilizer in this country is public education.  I understand budgets need to be cut - but they should not be cut at the expense of public education.  An investment in public education yields some of the highest returns.  Please help keep PA's public educational system one of the strongest in the country & fully fund it!

Tom Harden from Greensburg, PA 

There is only one investment with a guaranteed return: education. The only way to save our communities, our state, and our nation is to invest in our people.  And that starts with making sure every child is given the best education possible -- regardless of ZIP Code.

Marcus from Erie, PA

Allowing progress to "die on the vine" is not the solution to PA education efforts of the recent past. New standards are not new anymore, and creative ways to urge students to move beyond finger exercises on their video games requires a stimulus to compete with the "fun" already at their fingertips. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on video game development, all with educational value near zero! Raise the bar with educational funding. Just do it!

Joe T from Bethlehem, PA

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