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Hazleton's fight for fair funding

The lengthy process of budget hearings has caused districts with a growing student population to proceed without the funds needed.

HAZLETON, Pa. — The lengthy process of budget hearings has caused districts with a growing student population to proceed without the funds needed. 

The Hazleton Area School District was set to receive adequacy funding, which was set in place for districts that are severely underfunded. Kristin Volchansky, who works for Action Together NEPA, recalls how Hazleton Area School District superintendent Brian Uplinger spoke about how the district is struggling.

"There's a lot of demographic change very quickly in their districts, even within one given year. He also spoke very eloquently about the fact that they need more funding for students who are English language learners. That is a real need," said Kristine Volchansky, the Advocacy Director for Action Together NEPA.

With warehouse development booming in the Hazleton area, it brings more families.

The Hazleton area school district has struggled to provide the education needed for the growing population of new students. Just last year, Hazleton Elementary School had to stop accepting new kindergarten students because the district met its capacity, moving those new kindergartners to online learning.

"There's the issue of the facilities, which you know, and providing more funding for the facilities, but then also the issue of staff. Because even if you have physical space, you need the employees to be able to be in the room with students," added Volchansky.

Governor Shapiro proposed an $8 million dollar increase in the education budget. The Hazleton integration project has been working with Action Together NEPA to advocate for fair funding.

"The School Forum meeting is going to be this coming Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m. here at the gym at the community center," said Rossanna Gabriel, Executive Director for the Hazleton Integration Project.

"It's an equity issue; it's a civil rights issue. But it is also about making sure that the most precious thing that we have in the world are kids, that we give them the tools and the resources and the opportunities that they need to succeed in the workforce," stated Volchansky.

The Hip Center is inviting parents and students to take part in the meeting on Monday in Hazleton.

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