PRESS RELEASE - Mayor Keffer Supports Governor's School Funding Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 5, 2021

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Contact: Vincent Rongione: vrongione@upperdarby.org; 610-505-8977

MAYOR BARBARANN KEFFER STRONGLY SUPPORTS $26 MILLION SCHOOL FUNDING INCREASE PROPOSED IN THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET 

UPPER DARBY, PA — Today, Mayor Barbarann Keffer announced her support for increasing the State’s Basic Education Funding to the Upper Darby School District by 65%. The newly proposed budget plan would provide an additional $26 million in funding for the Upper Darby School District, which received $40 million from the state for the 2020-2021 school year. Mayor Keffer believes  that a well funded School District is a critical component of her plans for a revitalized and strong future for Upper Darby.

“The Upper Darby School district is our largest and most important stakeholder and partner as we work to reform and reinvest in our community,” said Mayor Keffer. “I applaud Governor Wolf for expanding the use of the fair-funding formula and I urge all lawmakers across the state in the most sincere and powerful terms to join me. Simply put - our kids are worth it.”   

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman added, “Investing in education means providing a better future for our kids. Giving our children more opportunities leads to a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.”

Pennsylvania’s fair-funding formula is designed to create equitable funding for schools across the state and particularly in districts that serve low income and fast-growing districts. Currently, only 11% of state funding for schools is distributed using the fair funding formula. Governor Wolf proposes to cover the increase in school funding by raising the state’s current personal income tax rate, 3.07%, to 4.49%. However, only the top one-third of earners would pay more, because the proposal expands exemptions and tax forgiveness. The plan would provide complete tax forgiveness to single people who make less than $15,001 and married couples who earn less than $30,001, while providing a $10,000 allowance for each dependent. 

“The current property tax formula makes our taxpayers among the most unfairly burdened taxpayers in Pennsylvania.” Mayor Keffer continued. “The new proposal would help alleviate this burden by driving more money through the fair funding formula. Our School District does an excellent job with what they are given but the reality is that they have been given far too little for far too long. A child’s zip code shouldn’t determine the quality of their education. We must do better.” 

Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, and Mayor Keffer is committed to creating new opportunities for its more than 84,000 residents. Elected in 2019, Mayor Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby.  

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